Lagos Police Crackdown on Criminal Networks Net in 66 Suspects

Chiemelie Ezeobi 

The crackdown launched by the police on all forms of criminality in Lagos State has recently yielded results with 66 suspects mopped up for various crimes. 

According to the state Commissioner of Police, CP Idowu Owohunwa, the 66  suspects were apprehended for wide range of offenses, including armed robbery, unlawful possession of arms, impersonation, cultism, and murder.

He said series of strategic raids led by the police force resulted in the confiscation of an array of illegal firearms and incriminating evidence, further dismantling criminal activities across the state. 

Among the items recovered were fourteen firearms, including two locally fabricated AK47 rifles, toy guns, live and expended cartridges, ammunition, machetes, bags of suspected Indian hemp, vehicles, fake currency, and various other illicit items.

Giving further breakdown on the weapons and ammunition recovered, he cited 14 firearms including two AK47 rifles, one of them locally fabricated, two locally fabricated toy guns, 15 live cartridges, four expended cartridges and 25 live ammunition.

 Other exhibits recovered include five machetes, 34 bags of weed suspected to be Indian hemp, six vehicles,  two bags containing fake US Dollars, fake Pound Sterling note, two award plaques from Buccaneer fraternity, one Buccaneer banner, a pair of police camouflage uniform, a jack knife, police identity card, two hoods, black pipes with some quantity of weed suspected to be Indian hemp and 66 kegs of fake Total engine oil. 

Citing the first significant breakthrough, he said the police effected the arrest of  suspects involved in the murder of the police officer during an armed robbery incident at Airport Hotel Ikeja.

This operation culminated in the apprehension of six individuals responsible for the heinous crime, accompanied by the recovery of an AK47 rifle and live ammunition. The same group was also implicated in the robbery of a prominent night club in Ikeja.

He said: “On 3rd of August 2023 at about 2200hrs, based on intelligence gathering on the armed robbery incident around Airport hotel Ikeja that led to the brutal murder of a police officer and the carting away of his rifle, operatives of the command embarked on a discreet investigation and arrested one Salami Ahmed ‘male’ aged 30, Ismaila Adio ‘m’ aged 22, Toheeb Muri ‘m’ aged 23, Seyi Olajide ‘m’ aged 24, Nelson Sunday ‘m’ aged 34 and James Nnamani ‘m’ aged 24 at their hideout in Alagbado and Amikanle areas of Lagos State. 

“One AK47 rifle with twenty-one rounds of live ammunition were recovered. This syndicate is also responsible for robbing a popular night club in Ikeja on 19th of July 2023.”

The Commissioner emphasised the importance of proper channels when seeking police assistance, urging individuals and businesses to ensure they interact with legitimate authorities to avoid falling prey to criminal elements.

In the briefing, he also highlighted the decisive actions against a cultist hideout, resulting in the arrest of two notorious cult leaders. 

A significant number of weapons, including a pump-action rifle and a locally-made pistol, were confiscated from the location.

“Between the hours of 0400 and 0600hrs, on 9th of August 2023,  based on intelligence gathering about the activities of criminal elements using Orile White-sand under bridge as hideout and other black spots within the community.

“Operatives of the command stormed the scene and arrested the following thirty-eight suspects: Aliu Babatunde ‘m’ aged 18, Amsa Ibrahim ‘m’ aged 35,  Sodiq Musbau ‘m’ aged 21, Francis Omwuekhe ‘m’ aged 26, Kazeem Adisa ‘m’ aged 33,  Yahaya Issa ‘m’ aged 33, Ibrahim Issa ‘m’ aged 25, Umaru Sanni ‘m’ aged 37, Umaru Idris ‘m’ aged 37, Haruna Abdullah ‘m’ aged 19, Bairi Nafiu ‘m’ aged 22, Mykinta Muhammad ‘m’ aged 25, and Emeka Ikechukwu ‘m’ aged 35.

“Others include Isaac Tobi Adebayo ‘m’ aged 37, Bright Ahamefuna ‘m’ aged 25, Babagana Kawu Adamu ‘m’ aged 23, Ibrahim Muhammed Shetima ‘m’ aged 23, Abubakar Mygana ‘m’ aged 23, Muhammad Baba ‘m’ aged 24, Abdulrasheed Bello ‘m’ aged 28, Muri Olanrewaju ‘m’ aged 40, Sunday Olidusem ‘m’ aged 56, Bagandida Garba ‘m’ aged 32, Sulaiman Yusuf ‘m’ aged 30, Sunday Odeyemi ‘m’ aged 40, Saheed Abubakar ‘m’ aged 35, Godwin Emmanuel ‘m’ aged 32, Eyong Andrew ‘m’ aged 27, Adebayo Idowu ‘m’ aged 49, Kingsley Udeh ‘m’ aged 38, Joseph Ezekiel ‘m’ aged 27, Alih Muhammad ‘m’ aged 23, Abduljeli Fatai ‘m’ aged 20,  Ismaila Amuda ‘m’ aged 28, Francis Kelvin ‘m’ aged 33, Jonathan Ezegboya ‘m’ aged 52, Kingsley Udeh ‘m’ aged 21 and Abdulsalam Abubakar ‘m’ aged 32.

“Also, two machetes, two live cartridges, two hoods, black pipes, some quantity of weed suspected to be Indian hemp and two bags containing fake US Dollars and fake pound sterling notes were recovered,” he said.

Also, various cases involving armed robbery attempts, unlawful possession of weapons, and the recovery of fake engine oil were detailed, emphasizing the breadth of the Lagos State Police Command’s operations and commitment to maintaining security and lawfulness within the state.

On cultism, Owohunwa explained how on the 18th of August 2023 at about 0200hrs, operatives of the Command raided an hideouts of cultists at Sabo-Yaba and Ijesha-Surulere area of Lagos State where one Daniel Ojo ‘m’ aged 35 and Giwa Quadri ‘m’ aged 36 were arrested.

According to him, “The following items were recovered from both scenes: One pump action rifle, one locally made pistol, three live cartridges, three  expended cartridges, three branded machetes, two award plaque from Buccaneer fraternity and one Buccaneer banner among other incriminating items.”

A day after, men of the command also arrested on Idris Bello, aged 27 on an attempted robbery of a POS agent at Jibowu park in Ayaba area of Lagos State.

Owohunwa also noted that on 14th of July 2023, at about 220hrs, operatives of the Command arrested one Okafor Nzubechukwu ‘m’ aged 38 in his hideout at Awoyaya-Ajah on the account of conspiracy and armed robbery. One unregistered Black IS 250 Lexus SUV, one unregistered Black Toyota Camry saloon car, one unregistered red Lexus ES 350 saloon car, one unregistered ash Toyota Camry saloon car, one unregistered ash Lexus RX 350 SUV and one unregistered ash Toyota Camry saloon car.  

Further investigation, he said, led to the arrest of the receivers Gbenga Olaoye ‘m’ aged 49 and Luka Gaiya ‘m’ aged 38 in FCT Abuja.

He added, “On 25th of August 2023 at about 1500hrs, based on credible intelligence on the production of fake engine oil in Swiss park Trade-fair International Market, operatives of the Command swung into action and one Obinna Kinsley ‘m’ and Patrick Ezenwnne Obinna ‘m’ aged 40 were arrested. Sixty-six kegs of fake engine oil with Total oil stickers were recovered from the suspect.”

The Lagos State Police Command Boss expressed its dedication to reducing crime and protecting citizens, signaling its ongoing collaboration with other entities like the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) to eradicate extortionist activities. 

The command is resolute in its mission to ensure that criminality is kept to a minimum, sending a strong message to miscreants and wrongdoers that they will be apprehended and prosecuted for their actions.