As EndSARS protest against police brutality and extra-judicial killings in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) nears two weeks on Monday, some hoodlums have burnt down about 50 cars at Apo Mechanic village in Abuja.
Thugs, alleged to be sponsored for the distruption of ongoing agitation for a comprehensive police reform stormed the area and set ablaze cars displayed for sale at a dealer stand.
According to reports, the hoodlums had attempted to attack peaceful protesters at Apo during their rally on Monday morning. However, the protesters overpowered and repelled them
It was gathered that after the initial failed attempt to attack the demonstrators, the hoodlums reinforced but on getting to the scene, the protesters had dispersed.
Reports have it that the hoodlums who were angered when they didn’t meet the protesters, decided to vent their frustration by setting ablaze about 50 cars at a dealership stand located at Jesus Avenue, along Apo Mechanic Village.
A report by Vanguard stated that those around the scene of the incident said the thugs vandalised other valuables in the area and also harassed people in the area.
On Monday night, amateur videos that captured several cars on fire trended across social media platforms.
Vangaurd reported that an eyewitness, who spoke anonymously for security reasons, said: “The hoodlums began the attack around 3:30pm. My colleague and I were driving home when we saw people running helter-skelter near the mechanic village.
“We had to park our car on the premises of Apo Shoprite for safety reasons and run for our lives.
“We also saw those who set the cars ablaze brandishing machetes and small knives to intimidate and scare the people away.”
The eyewitness added that some policemen were in the area while the mayhem lasted. But, they were too few to stop the hoodlums.
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