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Rivers police arrest 22 over murder of SARS officer

The violence came days after the police warned against October 1 protests by residents, especially members of the separatist Indigenous Peoples of Biafra.

• October 2, 2020
Police office burnt down.
Photo of a police station on fire used to illustrate this story

The police in Rivers have arrested 22 suspects in alleged connection with the killing of a police officer and burning of a patrol van in Oyigbo Local Government Area of the state.

Unidentified gunmen attacked the police station in Oyigbo on September 30, killing a SARS officer on duty before setting the place alight.

Police spokesperson Omoni Nmamdi said an investigation is ongoing to apprehend more suspects over the crime.

The police said they have since restored peace to the community. 

The violence came days after the police warned against October 1 protests by residents, especially members of the separatist Indigenous Peoples of Biafra. It was unclear whether the violence was related to the protests that were held across the country on October 1, Nigeria’s Independence Day.

The Nigerian Constitution allows free protest and agitation by citizens, but the police have regularly sought to muzzle those rights.

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