Chiemelie Ezeobi
The Lagos State Police in its bid to rid the state of crime has arrested 19 cultists, 16 armed and traffic robbers, four murder suspects and one impersonator from different locations.
Confirming the arrests, the state Commissioner of Police, Edgal Imohimi, said the four people arrested for gangsterism and murder were those involved in the death of one Ganiyu Ayinla a member of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).
He said, “On receiving information about the dastardly act, the Federal SARS swung into action and trailed the suspects to Oyo State where they were arrested.
“The suspects include 49-year-old Bashiru Bashorun aka Abija; 43-year-old Sunday Balogun aka Folori; 43-year-old John Oladokun aka Ibafo and 43-year-old Gbolahan Olomokere.
“The wine-coloured tinted glass Toyota Camry Saloon car with registration number KTU713EZ used for the operation and one pump action gun were recovered from them.”
On the incidences of armed and traffic robbery across areas like Ikumole Street, Idimu, Wolly Boy street, Ajangbadi and Badagry, the CP said all 16 suspects have confessed to the crime and would be charged to court at the conclusion of investigation.
He said, “The robbery incident at Ikuomole Street, Idimu occurred when one Elegbeye Samuel and another suspect still at large robbed one Damilola Ajayi, a female, of her phone, jewelries, and cash sum of N300,000. One locally made pistol was recovered.
“Similarly, at Ajangbadi, one Emeka Francis was arrested at Wolly Boy Street with one locally made pistol after he robbed one Sarah Eloji of her Samsung S5 phone, gold necklace and N85,000 at gun point.
“Also, along Kokolowo Ilogbo Road, Badagry, operatives of the command stationed at Ijanikin arrested two armed robbery suspects; Tanipinnu John and Kazeem Sikiru.
“The suspects were chased and arrested after their attempt to rob one Mr. John Kunoso of his motorcycle with registration number TTD553WN was foiled. The police recovered the stolen motorcycle and one locally made pistol.
“Meanwhile, the command’s undercover operatives were able to beat some traffic robbers to their game. They usually pose as commercial vehicle operators in order to hoodwink unsuspecting persons.
“The suspects were identified as Baba Mohammed, Uche Nkowcha, Solomon Ogunyinka, Wasiu Ajayi, Nwokocha Alozie, Godspower Preye, Akpesiri Peter and Michael Fagbenro.
“Also arrested for a similar crime were Iso Effiom, Roland Onyemechi, Henry Anthony and Olugbenga Jacob who robbed one Fred Ubak of his Zenith and First Bank ATMs and transferred N820,000 to their own accounts.”
On cultists arrested across the state the CP said based on credible intelligence, the police arrested three members of the Aiye confraternity and recovered a Berretta pistol, one locally made revolver pistol and a cut to size pistol.
He said, “The suspects Mejulu Raymond, Yakubu Taiwo and Ayejumoba Azeez, members of the Aiye have since confessed to how they have been robbing and attaching innocent victims.
“We also recovered three live cartridges, two 9mm live ammunition, one expended ammunition, one axe, charms, three bottles of Emzolyn with codeine and four bottles of weed.
“Similarly, at Santan as Scrush joint beside Docarz bar, Ketu, about 15 males , suspected to be cultists were arrested at their initiation party.
“They were identified as Williams Chibuzor, Adekunle Yekini, Ifeanyi Dibia, Joseph Akan, Olawale Oladimeji, Godday Igbinosa, Hammed Mohammed, Kingsley Onu, Joseph Irakame, Temitope Akinboleyi, Eniola Shonubi, Olatunde Ogundero, Fowodira Olufemi, Oladele Dumomi, Okorie Festus and Baale Hammed.
“We recovered two UTC knives, one kitchen knife, three 35-liter containers with liquid substance suspected to be a mixture of tramadol, codeine, Indian hemp, hot drink and cocaine.”
On the case of impersonation Edgal said, “We arrested someone that impersonates military officers to commit crime. One Ibrahim Yahaya was arrested at PMF Squadron 63 gate at Igbogbo in Ikorodu.
“He was arrested while fully dressed in military uniform. His apparent lack of confidence aroused the suspicion of vigilant Policemen on duty at PMF 63 gate.
“He was questioned and was found to be an impersonator who used the Nigerian Army to perpetrate crime. The command has resolved to tap into the robust inter agency cooperation existing between the police and the Nigerian Army.”
