VIDEOS: LAGOS POLICE ARREST 10 SUSPECTS OVER KIDNAPPING, ARMED ROBBERY, OTHER CRIMES

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Recover Vehicles, 3 AK-47 Rifles, 42 Live Ammunitions, Cash, Other items

By ‘Sefiu Ajape

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested 10 suspects involved in kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, stealing, conspiracy, and unlawful possession of firearms, while also recovering several arms, ammunition, stolen vehicles, and cash linked to criminal activities across the state.

Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai, disclosed this on Tuesday during a press briefing held at the Command Headquarters, Ikeja.

According to the CP, the command recovered “double barrel pump action, three AK47s and two SMGs, one revolver and short pistol, one fabricated pistol, three locally made pistols, six magazines, forty-two live ammunitions, one dummy gun, one TVS motorcycle, one axe, and N490,000 cash.”

Fatai said one of the major breakthroughs recorded during the period was the foiling of a kidnap attempt on a businessman at Jakande Estate Gate, Ejigbo, on May 24.

He explained that operatives acted on credible intelligence regarding a gang allegedly notorious for targeting wealthy businessmen.

“Operatives moved to the scene, and the gang, on sighting the police, opened fire and engaged the operatives in a gun duel. The operatives responded with superior firepower, leading to the neutralization of four members of the gang, while one suspect escaped with bullet wounds,” he said.

Items recovered from the scene included a Toyota Sienna vehicle, one AK-47 rifle with two magazines loaded with 25 rounds of live ammunition, one SMG rifle with 12 rounds of live ammunition, and vehicle keys.

The CP added that an Inspector of Police sustained a gunshot injury on his left leg during the exchange of fire and is currently responding to treatment.

In another operation, the command arrested a 57-year-old driver, Akintayo Wasiu, in Ibadan, Oyo State, for allegedly stealing a Toyota Hiace Space Bus belonging to his employer.

Police said the suspect allegedly altered the vehicle documents and changed his phone number in an attempt to evade arrest before he was tracked down.

The command also recovered a locally made double-barrel pistol from the residence of an alleged Aiye confraternity leader, Waliu Olaleye, during a raid in Igando area of the state.

Similarly, police arrested a suspect, Chibuzor Mogbo, over the alleged theft of Premium Motor Spirit valued at N1,028,825,520 belonging to MEA Energy.

Fatai said the suspect was arrested in Delta State after “twelve days of intensive investigation and follow-up operations.”

“During interrogation, the suspect confessed to the crime and subsequently led operatives to the recovery of cash and properties worth over three hundred million naira linked to the criminal act,” he stated.

The command further uncovered a staged kidnapping involving a scrap iron dealer identified as Adamu Abdullahi and his accomplices.

According to police investigations, the suspects allegedly produced a fake kidnap video to extort N1.5 million ransom from the victim’s employer.

“The suspect eventually confessed that the kidnapping was staged,” the CP said, adding that the diverted sum of N490,000 was recovered.

Operatives also arrested two suspected car vandals in Bariga and recovered a Honda i-VTEC saloon car, while another suspect identified as Ejiro Abiriofor was arrested during a stop-and-search operation in Shasha with a Taiwanese-made revolver pistol loaded with four live ammunition.

In a separate incident, hoodlums abandoned a TVS motorcycle and a locally fabricated Beretta pistol while fleeing from police operatives responding to robbery reports in Ikola area.

Fatai assured residents that the command would sustain intelligence-led policing and proactive crime prevention strategies to rid the state of criminal elements.

“The Command wishes to assure all Lagosians that there will be no hiding place for criminal elements within the state,” he said.

He urged residents to continue supporting the police with timely and credible information to aid crime prevention and effective law enforcement.

See videos of recovered items below;