- 33 corrupt cops apprehended
Chiemelie Ezeobi
In different raids across Lagos, the state police command yesterday said it had arrested 91 armed robbery suspects, 39 cultists, nine kidnappers and eight rapists, as well as 33 policemen for extortion.
The state Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, who made this disclosure in a parade at the command headquarters in Ikeja, Lagos, also said they recovered weapons and ammunition.
He said the police operatives also recovered 28 cars, 20 firearms, 30 rounds of ammunition, several phones and laptops, as well as gold jewelries.
He said: “Among the suspects arrested were three kidnappers, who were picked up in connection with the abduction of the Oba of Iba, Goriola Oseni.
“The suspects were arrested because they took the information of the Oba to the main kidnappers and they also collected out of the ransom paid.
“Frantic efforts are still being made by the command along the Inspector General of Police Special Intelligence Response Team to round up others. Those arrested would soon be arraigned in court.
“Also, in another operation, four armed robbers were gunned down in a gun duel with the police. For other suspects arrested, we are preparing to charge them all to court.
“The command also arrested 39 suspects for their involvement in street fighting, gang terrorism and cultism. They are those causing chaos in the state.
“We also recovered 28 cars from the different suspects, as well as 20 different firearms and 30 rounds of live ammunition.”
On the rapists arrested Owoseni said, “We arrested six rapists first. Their modus operandi is to use Instagram, a social media platform, to launch adverts to lure people looking for houses.
“One of their victims, a younglady was lured to a hotel and she was raped. They also captured her on tape to further blackmail her. Few ladies have fallen victim of this syndicate.
“When the police were alerted, they traced these rapists to a hotel in Agege and arrested them. The victims have also identified them as well.
“Another rapist arrested was one Godwin Davies, who was also involved in impersonation and armed robbery. The other rapist, was a 48-year-old man, who raped an 18-month-old baby. He will soon be arraigned in court for the full wrath of the law to take its course.”
On the 33 policemen arrested for extorting money from commercial motorcyclists and tricyclists, he said while some had been recommended for dismissal, other were currently undergoing disciplinary actions.
He said: “The command will not relent in making sure that policemen who do not conform to global policing standards, are fished out and made to face disciplinary action.”
