Three suspected armed robbers were killed in a gun battle
while 779 suspects arrested across Lagos in the last three weeks.
This was made known by the state Police Commissioner, Fatai Owoseni on Wednesday while chatting
with newsmen interaction at the command's headquarters in Ikeja.
He reiterated further that the police recovered 27 guns, 64 rounds
of various ammunitions and 33 different brands of vehicles within the period.
Among those arrested were 23 suspected armed robbers, two
'cultists' and 754 persons apprehended during raids of criminal hideouts in the
state.
The police boss stated that 260 persons were released
unconditionally from the 754 raided after they were found to have legitimate source
of livelihood.
"494 of them were charged to court and we secured
conviction on 298. The courts discharged 151 persons and 45 are still awaiting
trial. In an efforts to enforce the state Traffic Law 255 motorcycles were
impounded for plying restricted routes," he said.
Owoseni who said the most prevalent crimes in the state
since March 18 were cult and gangster related clashes, as well as stealing by
domestic employees from their masters, noted that the command has been able to
recover about 95 percent of cars stolen from the onwers by their drivers.
"Among the suspects arrested within this period were a
group which specialises in dispossessing commercial motorcyclists of their
bike. Their modus operandi is that they pretend to be passengers wanting to
patronise motorcyclists.
"Then, after they are carried, they use a certain spray
on the rider which makes him unconscious after which they dispossess of his
bike.
"When they are done, they meet one Justin, who
generates fake receipt and fake plate number for them and they start operating
the motorcycles.
"Five of them, including Justin were arrested and three
of the snatched motorcycles were identified by their owners. Police discovered
50 other motorcycles in Justin's house, as well as fake number plates and
receipts.
"Also, 13 suspected 'one-chance' operators who are still being interrogated were
arrested at different areas in the state. We apprehended about five of them who
operate at Shoprite Ikeja, arrested some in Surulere and recovered two buses.
Two other persons were arrested who received the stolen items from the
one-chance operators.
"Six suspected cultists were arrested in Lagos Island
and they have been charged to court. There was serious confrontation between
Salu Court boys and Okesuna boys on March 23, leading to their arrest. But on
Tuesday, three more suspects General, Ejah and Taribu were arrested and are
currently in police custody, helping detectives to get others.
"Five suspected armed robbers who attacked a hotel in
Ajangbadi and dispossessed lodgers of their valuables were arrested on April
12. We also got some of the boys who ambush bank customers and trail them with
their power bikes to rob them of their money," said Owoseni.
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