The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has lamented the looting and destruction of public and private assets by criminals across the country.

He condoled with the families of victims of the violence that paralysed parts of the country for days, and called for a thorough investigation into acts of criminality.

He paid tributes to security agents who lost their lives in the line of duty for their country while also urging security agencies to restrain hoodlums and perpetrators of the acts immediately.

In a statement in Abuja on Monday, which he personally signed, the senate president called for the arrest and prosecution of those involved in the wanton destruction and looting of both public and private property.

“I send my condolences to the families of our security and law enforcement agents who have made the Supreme sacrifices in the course of their service to their fatherland.

“I also call for a thorough investigation of every criminal act that we have witnessed in the past few weeks with a view to bringing to justice all those elements who have so callously destroyed public and private property.

“I call on our patriotic youths to leave the streets as government has heard their voices and is addressing their grievances.

“This is also necessary to avoid unwittingly continuing to provide covers for the criminals and fifth columnists in our midst.

“However, as regards those criminal elements unleashing terror on our cities under the guise of the protest, I urge the security agencies to forthwith but with utmost restraint, restore law and order across the country and bring the criminals to justice”, he said.