The Lagos State Police Command has arrested 98 individuals involved in a variety of criminal activities, including armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism, and drug trafficking. The arrests were made between September 17 and 24, according to the state's Commissioner of Police, Ishola Olanrewaju, who announced the development during a press briefing at the Command headquarters in Ikeja.
The police recovered 10 firearms, 41 rounds of live ammunition, 12 phones, 39 bags of cement, a ton of rods, various hard drugs, and charms from the suspects.
Among the high-profile arrests were:
- Godwin Chukwuebuka and Solomon Balogun, both 23, suspected armed robbers caught in Ikotun on September 20 with an AK-47 rifle, three rounds of ammunition, and two local double-barrel guns.
- Hassan Samson, Nnemka Chibike, and Segun Akinyola, who were apprehended after the successful rescue of a 21-year-old woman kidnapped in Badagry. The suspects had attempted to extort N10 million in ransom.
- Desmond Emeka, Kingsley Izoronwu, and Sheriff Olusunmoadi, arrested on September 22 for targeting female passengers at night using local pistols and stealing 12 iPhones.
- A 'one-chance' robbery syndicate arrested in Ajegunle, who had transferred N5.6 million from a victim’s account after robbing them.
The police also made significant progress in combating cultism. Raids in Ikorodu and Ajegunle led to the arrests of several cultists, with firearms and ammunition recovered.
Additionally, the police dismantled a firearm trafficking ring operating under the guise of a logistics company. Three suspects, including Oliver Okechukwu, were arrested in connection with the sale of over 350 firearms.
Police operations targeting drug trafficking resulted in arrests and the seizure of large quantities of hard drugs, including 120 wraps of cocaine recovered in Ojo on September 18.
Commissioner Olanrewaju reaffirmed his commitment to reducing crime in Lagos, calling for continued public collaboration with law enforcement by reporting suspicious activities. All suspects will be prosecuted after investigations are concluded.
