Akure — POLICE in Ondo state yesterday said that three of the hoodlums that wrecked havoc in Akure, the state capital last week by setting ablaze five vehicles including three trucks of the Nigerian Bottling Company PLC have been arrested and whisked to the Force Headquarters for interrogations.

Those arrested include Adesanya Fayeun, a.k.a. Ade Basket, Sikiru Yussuf and Rotimi Dahunsi. According to the police command Image Maker, Mr Aremu Adeniran the suspects were arrested following the wanton destruction of properties in the state capital last week.

The hoodlums turned the Akure metropolis into a theatre of war following the death of a saw miller who was killed by one of the company's truck. Other saw millers went on rampage torching every available truck belonging to Coca Cola and customers parked at the company's depot in the state capital.

The police PRO said that the suspects were transferred to Abuja for further interrogation of the matter.

Vanguard learnt that the Inspector General of Police became interested in the matter following the wanton destruction of properties by the hoodlums and he directed that they be whisked to the Force Headquarters.

It was gathered that the state governor, Dr Olusegun Agagu reportedly directed that those behind the disruption of peace in the state be prosecuted.

The police in the state said that their report on the incident had been forwarded to the Force Headquarters" and that the suspects would be brought back to the state after investigation was completed. Mr Adeniran said that the three suspects would be tried in the state where their committed the offence. The police PRO further said that the company reported that the hoodlums carted away large sum of money during the mayhem. He however disclosed that investigation into the mayhem was still going on and that after it's conclusion, those found guilty would be prosecuted.

In the heat of the crisis, three trucks loaded with Coca Cola products, one pick up vehicle, and a Toyota Camry were razed by the hoodlums who brandished dangerous weapons threatening to revenge the death of their colleague. Shops and other offices in the area immediately closed down as residents of the metropolis ran helter sketter for fear of their lives. Parents of pupils in schools around the vicinity rushed to pick their wards following the tension that gripped the town as a result of the incident.

The hoodlums after setting ablaze the vehicle moved to the company"s depot along Ondo road broke the locked gate and equally set ablaze two other trucks belonging to the company and two other vehicles parked around the vicinity in protest against the death of their colleague. Workers at the company"s depot fled to different direction as news filtered to them that the mob was heading towards their office. All these atrocities were been perpetrated just as the police watched helplessly while all efforts by the DPO of one of the divisions in the state that led a team of policemen in about ten patrol vehicles to the scene to placate the angry mob failed. AS the family members of the dead saw miller formed a circle round his corpse the police succeeded in breaking into them after which his corpse was taken to the state general hospital.