The Lagos State Police Command says it has recorded some breakthroughs in its ongoing crackdown on armed robbery, cultism, and illegal possession of firearms across the state.
The Commissioner of Police, Mr Fatai Tijani, disclosed this on Tuesday while addressing journalists at the command headquarters in Ikeja.
He noted that coordinated operations by officers had led to multiple arrests and the recovery of sophisticated weapons.
In one of the operations, Tijani said that operatives apprehended a 20-year-old suspect linked to a robbery case, who was transferred from the Oke-Odo Division.
“A fabricated Beretta pistol and an operational motorcycle allegedly used by a robbery gang operating around the Ipaja axis were recovered.
“The suspect confessed to participating in a three-man robbery operation, while efforts are ongoing to arrest fleeing accomplices in the Ipaja area,” he said.
Tijani added that in another case on June 22, three suspects were apprehended in connection with an armed robbery attack in which a victim sustained gunshot injuries.
He said that a locally-made pistol and four expended cartridges were recovered from them.
The police commissioner further disclosed that officers uncovered a case of conspiracy and unlawful possession of firearms following intelligence reports from the Ayetoro-Ijanikin area.
“Acting on the information, three suspects were arrested, while two double-barrel guns and six locally fabricated single-barrel guns were recovered, ” he said.
According to him, the suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, for further investigation.
In a separate patrol along Ilupeju Bye-pass, he said that two suspects were apprehended in possession of a cut-to-size pistol, an English Browning pistol, and four live cartridges.
Tijani also confirmed the arrest of two suspected fake soldiers after intelligence revealed they were impersonating military personnel while concealing a pump-action gun.
The police boss said that four suspected cult members linked to the Eiye Confraternity had also been arrested.
According to Tijani, items recovered include a Beretta pistol loaded with live ammunition, a locally-made pistol, and a knife.
He said that investigations were ongoing at the State CID, Panti.
The CP said that a suspect was apprehended in Igando during a distress response to cult-related violence, with a pump-action gun recovered.
He said that the suspect confessed to belonging to the Alora Confraternity, while other accomplices were still at large.
The commissioner assured residents that all arrested suspects would be prosecuted, adding that intensified security operations would continue to rid the state of criminal elements and illegal firearms.
He reiterated the command’s commitment to sustaining pressure on criminal networks and ensuring public safety across the state.
NAN