The crime rate in Lagos State has drastically reduced in the last two months following spirited efforts and review of strategies employed by the Lagos State Police Command.
Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, made this declaration on Wednesday stating that the achievement was made possible through the collaboration with other relevant agencies.
He also said the efforts to reduce the gridlock in the state had yielded fruits as there had been a relative free flow of traffic.
Odumosu who gave a list of the achievements of the command in the area of stemming the rate of crime since he took over the rein of power as the 36th Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command on November 14, 2019, said no fewer than 114 armed robbery suspects were arrested while 72 armed robbery attempts were foiled.
He said seven armed robbery suspects died during exchange of fire with the Police while 46 suspects were arrested for cultism.
Three suspects, were arrested for kidnapping and 82 suspects were arrested for murder in the state, Odumosu said.
The commissioner of police added that nine cases of suicide were recorded while 25 assorted firearms with lots of ammunition of different calibre were recovered.
According to him, the command, in its efforts at stemming the rate of crime, also recovered 11 stolen vehicles.
Other achievements in curbing crime are contained in the speech read at the briefing by the police boss.
The speech reads in part:
“2,300 motorcycles were impounded during enforcement of Lagos State Traffic Laws: A total of two thousand, three hundred (2,300) motorcycles were impounded, from recalcitrant commercial motorcyclists across the state, between 18th November and 31th December, 2019. All the motorcycles impounded were handed over to Taskforce in Oshodi, for further action. Meanwhile, the exercise is being intensified.
“447 suspects were arrested during raids of criminal hideouts: Acting on credible intelligence, the Command raided some criminal hideouts, uncompleted and abandoned buildings in different parts of the state. A total of four hundred and forty-seven (447) suspects were arrested over the last one month and taken to Taskforce, Oshodi for further action. Out of this number, fifty-three (53) were warned and released while three hundred and ninety-four (394) were charged to court. Out of those charged to court, two hundred and ninety-six (296) were convicted, while ninety-eight are still awaiting trial.
“383 suspects were arrested in a clampdown on social miscreants: 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. One hundred and ninety-two suspects were arrested. Out of this number, thirty-eight were warned and released while eighty-seven were charged to court. Sixty-seven are currently being profiled. Two locally made pistols with thirty unexpended cartridges, weeds suspected to be Indian hemp and some cutlasses/axes were recovered from the hoodlums.
“Arrest of a notorious arm runner and recovery of firearms: On 3/1/2020 at about 0900hrs, information was received from a credible source that some group of people who deal in assorted arms and ammunition were coming to Ajibulu Mafoluku canal area of Oshodi – Lagos to sell arms to a syndicate of armed robbers/kidnappers. On receipt of the information, SARS operatives were drafted to the area for close monitoring. The exercise paid off, as at about 2230hrs, an average aged young man alighted from a motorcycle, close to Oshodi canal. He was seen with a black nylon bag, suggesting that he could be the suspect. They trailed his movement and was eventually arrested. When searched, two English made Revolver Pistols were recovered from him. During interrogation, he gave his name as Samuel Uche ‘m’ 32 years old. He confirmed that he brought the pistols to be sold to a gang of armed robbers/kidnappers at the rate of Two hundred and fifty thousand Naira (N250, 000.00). Investigation is ongoing and the suspect will soon be charged to court.
“Four suspects were arrested in respect of the murder of Moradeun Balogun: On the 3rd of December 2019, at about 1900hrs, one Moradeun Balogun ‘f’ 28 years old was attacked on her way from work at NCIE Bus Stop, Gbagada. The deceased was stabbed on her neck and her Lenovo computer laptop was stolen. Four suspects, Ugochukwu Udochukwu ‘m’, Chidiebere Nnanna ‘m’, Samuel Nnanna ‘m’ and David Obi ‘m’ were arrested in connection with the commission of the crime. The suspects are making useful information to aid the investigation, after which they will be charged to court.
“Two suspects arrested for attacking a couple at Ikoyi to be charged to court for conspiracy, murder, armed robbery and attempted murder: On the 08/12/2019, at about 1930hrs, one Olamilekan Oke ‘m’ conspired with one Akande Adeyinka ‘m’ and killed one Bernadett Tohouo Tohouo ‘f’ by stabbing her to death with a knife. The suspects also attempted to kill the deceased’s husband, one Gildas Tohouo Tohouo, by stabbing him on the neck and other parts of the body, thereby causing grievous harm. The two suspects, Olamilekan Oke ‘m’ and Akande Adeyinka ‘m’ had a premeditated plan before taking advantage of a party organized by one Max Delany ‘m’, a Briton, who organized an end of the year party for few of his colleagues at the same apartment, to commit the dastardly act. Meanwhile, both suspects made confessional statements to have gained access into the couple’s apartment, under the pretence of trying to fix their faulty electrical distribution box. Investigation is concluded and the suspects will be charged to court.
“19 years old man arrested for killing his 24 years old girlfriend: On the 7th of December 2019, at about 1145hrs, one Oji Ifeanyichukwu Victor ‘m’ 19 years old killed one Tolani Mariam Alabi ‘f’ 24 years old by pouring petrol on her and setting her ablaze. She was immediately rushed to Gbagada General Hospital, Lagos, where she was confirmed dead by a doctor on duty. The deceased, Tolani Mariam Alabi ‘f’ and suspect, Oji Ifeanyichukwu Victor ‘m’ were lovers living together at 549, Army Post Service Estate, Ojo-Iba, Lagos, before the incident. The lovers had a misunderstanding bordering on infidelity. The suspect has confessed to the commission of the crime. To this end, the suspect will be charged to court for prosecution.”
