The Lagos State Police Command has made significant strides in its fight against crime, arresting 80 suspects and neutralizing two in various operations across the state. According to Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai, the arrests and recoveries were recorded in operations targeting armed robbery, vandalism, traffic robbery, public disturbances, and other criminal activities. The operations were carried out in the first days of October, demonstrating the command's commitment to intelligence-led policing and proactive crime prevention.
Two suspected armed robbers were killed during a gun duel with operatives of the Lagos State Police Command in the Ijora-Badia area of Lagos. The suspects allegedly opened fire on the operatives, leading to a gun battle in which two suspects were killed, one escaped, while another, 26-year-old Patrick Azure, was arrested. The incident occurred on October 4, at about 10:00 p.m., when operatives of the command's Anti-Kidnapping Unit, acting on intelligence, traced a suspected robbery gang to its hideout along Gasikia Road.
The police recovered several items from the suspects, including six vehicles, four Beretta pistols, eight locally made pistols, four live 9mm rounds, seven vehicle number plates, six mobile phones, vandalized iron materials and electrical wires, six battle axes, four cutlasses, one toy gun, and five sacks of suspected illicit drugs. The recovered items were a result of various operations carried out by the police across the state.
Nine suspects were arrested for alleged vandalism along the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road. They were identified as Mustapha Salisu, 28; Chidi Emmanuel, 35; Joseph Johnson, 24; Samuel Kingsley, 36; Fredrick Mathew, 27; Abdulazeez Mubarak, 25; Chibuzor Odira, 26; Abraham Ofiegede, 57; and Salisu Saleh, 31. Iron materials and electrical wires were recovered from them.
The police also arrested three suspected armed robbers at different locations in Lagos. They were identified as Chubuzor Anasihwe, 31; Uchena Steven, 26; and Ejike Ani, 31. Preliminary investigation linked the suspects to alleged robbery operations along the Ife Expressway in Osun State on August 23 and September 30, during which about five vehicles were reportedly stolen and valuables worth about N50 million allegedly taken.
In another operation, 29 suspects were arrested allegedly involved in traffic robbery and the dispossession of motorists and other members of the public along the Lekki-Epe axis. Another 14 suspects were arrested in connection with alleged public nuisance and disturbances in the Maroko area. The suspects have made statements while investigations continue to establish their individual roles and possible links to other crimes.
The Lagos State Police Command has urged the public, community leaders, and other stakeholders to continue providing credible information to the police. The command will continue to pursue criminal elements, dismantle organized criminal networks, and protect critical public infrastructure across the state.
Key points
- The Lagos State Police Command arrested 80 suspects and neutralized two in various operations across the state.
- The operations targeted armed robbery, vandalism, traffic robbery, public disturbances, and other criminal activities.
- The police recovered several items, including vehicles, pistols, and suspected illicit drugs, from the suspects.
