UPDATE: LAGOS POLICE ARREST 98 SUSPECTS IN MAJOR CRIME CRACKDOWN

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The Lagos State Police Command has announced the arrest of 98 individuals involved in various crimes such as armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism, and drug trafficking.

The announcement was made on Wednesday, September 25, by the Commissioner of Police, CP Ishola Olanrewaju, during a press briefing at the Command headquarters in Ikeja.

These arrests were made between September 17 and September 24, 2024. The Commissioner expressed a “sense of professional fulfillment” since taking over the leadership of the Command.

“We have successfully cracked several cases and brought to book suspects involved in crimes such as robbery, cultism, and kidnapping,” Olanrewaju said.

He also noted that during the operations, a range of items were recovered, including 10 firearms, 41 rounds of live ammunition, 12 phones, 39 bags of cement, a ton of iron rods, various hard drugs, and charms.

One of the notable arrests involved a group of suspected armed robbers, identified as Godwin Chukwuebuka and Solomon Balogun, both 23 years old.

The suspects were apprehended in the Ikotun area on September 20. Officers recovered an AK-47 rifle with three live rounds of ammunition, and two locally made double-barrel guns during the operation.

Another high-profile case involved the rescue of a 21-year-old woman who had been kidnapped in Badagry.

The suspects involved in the kidnap case were, Hassan Samson, 35, Nnemka Chibike, 26, and Segun Akinyola, 32, who were arrested, and the victim was freed unharmed after a failed attempt to demand a ransom of N10 million.

To curb robbery in the state, police also apprehended three men Desmond Emeka, 28, Kingsley Izoronwu, 37, and Sheriff Olusunmoadi, 25, on September 22. The suspects, who targeted female passengers at night, were caught with a locally made pistol, six live cartridges, and 12 stolen iPhones.

CP Olanrewaju further revealed a case involving a one-chance robbery syndicate operating in the Oyingbo area. Four suspects were arrested at a hotel in Ajegunle after robbing a victim and transferring N5.6 million from their accounts. Recovered items included a locally made pistol, a POS terminal, and the gang’s operational bus.

Several arrests linked to cultism were made, with the police netting multiple individuals suspected of engaging in cult-related killings across the state. A raid in Ikorodu led to the arrest of two suspects, Hassan Ibrahim, 24, and Quadri Lasisi, 22, with a Beretta pistol and 24 live cartridges in their possession.

On September 20, a separate operation in Ajegunle resulted in the arrest of two notorious cultists, Odunola Oluwaseyi and Ayobami Fashola, both aged 27, alongside Mustafa Lawal, 23. Two locally made pistols were recovered.

Olanrewaju also highlighted the arrest of suspects involved in the illegal sales of firearms. Three individuals, including Oliver Okechukwu, 29, were arrested in connection with the sale of over 350 firearms under the guise of a logistics company.

In several operations targeting drug trafficking, the police arrested individuals found in possession of substantial quantities of hard drugs, including cocaine and substances suspected to be Indian hemp. One arrest on September 18 in the Ojo area involved the seizure of 120 wraps of cocaine.

CP Olanrewaju reiterated his commitment to reducing crime in Lagos State. He emphasized the importance of collaboration between the police and the public, urging residents to report suspicious activities.

“Security is everyone’s business. We urge you all to give us your unalloyed support and say something when you see something”, he stated.

The suspects will face prosecution after investigations are concluded, Olanrewaju confirmed.