…arrested over 1,000 suspects for armed robbery, murder, others in two months
Joy Anyim
The operatives of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested 100 suspected members of the ‘one million boys’ confraternity, during an overnight raid on Tuesday.
The suspects were allegedly arrested during their annual new day celebration in the Ajegunle area of Ajeromi Ifelodun Laocal Government Area, in Lagos.
The suspects who were brandishing cutlasses, were about to unleash mayhem on residents, when intelligence filtered to the state police boss, CP Hakeem Odumosu, who detailed operatives to the area, leading to the arrest of the suspects.
Speaking on the arrest of the suspects during a press briefing on Wednesday, at the Command Headquarters in Ikeja, Odumosu said cultism and youth gangsterism is a major security problem the command has focused her resources on.
He said: “We have observed the activities of those cult groups and gangs for the last two months and have gathered credible intelligence about them. The various cult groups and gangs identified within the state include: Aiye and Eiye confraternities, One million boys at Ajengule, Fadeyi boys at Fadeyi area, Akala boys at Mushin area, Nokia group at Surulere area, Shitta boys at Bariga, Oworonshoki, Shomolu and Palm grove areas, Awawa boys at Dopemu, Agege, Ogba and Iyana Ipaja, Ijesha boys and Aguda boys at Surulere.
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“We have reviewed our strategies and have initiated far reaching approach to totally eradicate this menace. I have launched a Special Strike Force on social miscreants to effectively combat those miscreants who have chosen the wrong path of life. We are taking the fight to their door steps, we are all out for them. We will fish them out, isolate them and bring them to justice. We are battle ready to uproot every cultist den and hideouts until they are totally defeated.
While also briefing journalists on the modest achievements of the command since he took over leadership, CP Odumosu revealed that the Command had arrested over 1,000 suspects for various offences in the last two month.
Seven other suspects were allegedly killed during gun battles, and 27 assorted firearms recovered from the arrested suspects.
Giving a breakdown of the total arrests made, the state police boss said 114 suspects were arrested for armed robbery, 46 suspects were arrested for cultism, three were arrested for kidnapping, 82 suspects were arrested for murder.
He said another 447 suspects were arrested during a raid of a criminal hideout, while another 383 social miscreants were arrested.
In his words: “It is worthy to note that, crime rate in Lagos state has drastically reduced within the period under review. From November 2019 to date, the Command arrested 114 armed robbery suspects and successfully foiled 72 armed robbery attempts. Seven armed robbery suspects died during exchange of fire with the Police. 46 suspects were arrested for cultism. Three suspects were arrested for kidnapping and 82 suspects were arrested for murder. The state recorded nine cases of suicide. 25 assorted firearms with lots of ammunition of different calibre were recovered.
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“The Command also recovered 11 stolen vehicles. 2,300 Motorcycles were impounded during enforcement of Lagos State Traffic Laws; all the motorcycles impounded were handed over to Taskforce in Oshodi, for further action.
Acting on credible intelligence, the Command raided some criminal hideouts, uncompleted and abandoned buildings in different parts of the State. A total of 447 suspects were arrested over the last one month and taken to Taskforce, Oshodi for further action. Out of this number, 53 were warned and released while 394 were charged to court. Out of those charged to court, 296 were convicted, while 98 are still awaiting trial.
“The Special Strike Force on Social Miscreants which I established took the battle to the doorsteps of social miscreants at Ikorodu, Agege, Itire, Isheri-Oshun and Oshodi. 192 suspects were arrested. Out of this number, 38 were warned and released while 87 were charged to court. 67 are currently being profiled. Two locally made pistols with 30 unexpended cartridges, weeds suspected to be Indian hemp and some cutlasses and axes were recovered from the hoodlums.”
Odumosu warned that cultists should either renounce their membership or be prepared to face the full weight of the law, as he admonished parents and guardians to monitor the movements and activities of their wards, and make sure their gatherings on public space are legitimate.
