The Lagos State Police Command has announced the arrest of 80 suspects and the recovery of various items, including firearms, ammunition, vehicles, and illicit drugs, in a series of operations conducted across the state from October 1 to October 7. The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Tijani, disclosed this information at a press conference held at the command's headquarters in Ikeja on Wednesday. The operations were part of the command's efforts to tackle various crimes, including armed robbery, vandalism, and traffic robbery.
According to Tijani, the police recovered four Beretta pistols, eight locally made pistols, four live 9mm ammunition, and six vehicles during the operations. Additionally, the police recovered six mobile phones, six battle axes, four cutlasses, one toy gun, five sacks of illicit drugs, vandalized iron materials, and electrical wires. The recovered vehicles included a black Lexus RX 330 Jeep, a 2018 white Toyota Camry, a 1999 white Toyota Camry, and a red Ford vehicle.
The police arrested nine suspects allegedly involved in vandalism along the Coastal Road and 19 others linked to an alleged job recruitment fraud in Tori-Lovi Community, Age-Mowo. The 19 suspects, comprising 17 males and two females, lured unsuspecting members of the public with purported employment opportunities that turned out to be fraudulent. Tijani also announced the arrest of 29 suspects for alleged traffic robbery along the Lekki-Epe axis.
Tijani further disclosed that a 43-year-old suspected receiver of stolen vehicles was arrested at Ishawo Agric, Ikorodu, with four vehicles and seven vehicle number plates recovered from him. The suspect usually receives stolen vehicles from a member of a criminal gang, which comprised three suspected members who are currently at large. The police also arrested 14 suspects in Maroko for alleged public nuisances.
An alleged gang leader was arrested in connection with an attack and robbery of a military officer and his family in Itire. The incident occurred on October 4, when hoodlums allegedly blocked the victim's vehicle, assaulted him and his wife, dispossessed them of N300,000, and vandalized their vehicle. The police also arrested a 28-year-old suspect who allegedly drugged a female victim and stole three mobile phones valued at N3.02 million from her apartment in Ikeja.
Tijani said the command conducted raids on identified criminal hideouts, leading to the recovery of illicit drugs, cutlasses, battle axes, and other items suspected to have been used as weapons. The successes reflect the command's commitment to intelligence-led policing and proactive crime prevention. He urged the public to continue providing credible information to support police operations.
The police boss assured residents that the command would sustain its efforts to dismantle criminal networks, protect lives, and public infrastructure. The Lagos State Police Command's efforts aim to maintain peace and security in the state, and the public is encouraged to cooperate with the police to achieve this goal.
Key points
- The Lagos State Police Command arrested 80 suspects and recovered several firearms, vehicles, and other items in various operations across the state.
- The operations were part of the command's efforts to tackle various crimes, including armed robbery, vandalism, and traffic robbery.
- The police recovered four Beretta pistols, eight locally made pistols, four live 9mm ammunition, and six vehicles during the operations.
