LAGOS POLICE PARADES 11 SUSPECTS INVOLVED IN ELECTION OFFENCES, 8 OTHERS

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

…. Urges residents to activate Sim locks on their SIM cards

The Lagos Police Command has paraded some suspects involved in election violence during the Presidential and Gubernatorial election in Lagos.

The command paraded a total of 19 suspects on Tuesday, comprising of 11 which were arrested in connection with electoral violence while the eight others paraded were involved in other offences like conspiracy, kidnap, traffic robbery and related crime.

The Command’s Spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, who represented the Commissioner of Police, Idowu Owohunwa stated this during a press brief at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, Adekunle, Yaba, Lagos.

While addressing the press, Hundeyin, mentioned that during the Presidential elections, 28 cases was recorded in the state, 23 suspects were apprehended, 5 suspects have been transferred to the Independent National Electoral Commission in Abuja for prosecution and one recovered exhibit returned, while one suspect will be prosecuted by the police command.

He also mentioned that 24 incidents was recorded during the Governorship election which was held on March 18th adding that 19 suspect were arrested, three handed over to INEC, because their offences fall under the purview of the commission while two are to be prosecuted by the State’s police.

The suspects that were paraded were involved in election offences, conspiracy, kidnapping, traffic robbery and other related offences.

The Police Public Relations Officer, also mentioned that the items recovered during the arrest includes, election materials (Ballot Boxes, Ballot Papers, INEC forms, BVAs Machine, PVCs), Locally made Pistols, gunpowder, charms, animal horn, pepper spray, dagger, knives, matchete and other firearms.

After listing out the recovered items, Hundeyin, urged Lagosians to activate SIM locks on their SIM cards to prevent criminals from having access to the phones and account details.

He mentioned that the reason was because, it was discovered that some of these suspects were involved in picking pockets.

“When a passenger board their vehicles, after they have driven a few kilometers, the ask the passengers to alight knowing what they have done, the passenger is quickly discharged. They pick the phones, gather the SIM cards and give it to those who would then insert the sims in another phone.

“When the sim is inserted into the phone, they try to recharge airtime, that way, they are able to discovered the total amount of fund in the victims account.”

He also mentioned that the reason why this culprits have access to their victims account is because there is no SIM lock activation on the SIM.

He called on all residents to disregard fake news currently making rounds on social media on Lagos regarding the elections.

Hundeyin, however, warned that no violation of law will be tolerated in the state while advising residents to report any form of crime to the police and also, appreciated residents of the state for their regular support to the to the police.

He assured Lagosians of the police commitment to the safety of lives and property at all times.