The Lagos State Police Command has arrested 32 suspects in connection with armed robbery, cultism, unlawful possession of firearms, stealing and other crimes recorded across the state in September.
The Commissioner of Police, Fatai Tijani, disclosed this on Monday while briefing journalists on the command’s operational achievements during the month.
Among those arrested was 21-year-old Olumide Olusola, who allegedly crushed police sergeant Johnson Okediji to death while attempting to escape a stop-and-search operation along Olugbede Street, Egbeda, on September 26.
According to Tijani, officers had flagged down Olusola, who was driving a Lexus ES 350, but he allegedly sped off as the sergeant approached the vehicle, knocking him down and dragging him underneath the car for several metres.
The officer sustained multiple fractures and serious head injuries and was taken to hospital before being referred to Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
The remains were deposited at the Mainland Hospital Mortuary, while the vehicle was recovered to the police station.
The command also arrested 29-year-old Ezekiel Sunday Obi over an alleged armed robbery at Ghost and Spirit Lounge on Ekoro Road, Abule Egba. The robbery, which occurred on September 26, was captured on CCTV and circulated on social media.
Police alleged that armed men carrying an AK-47 rifle and travelling in a grey Mercedes-Benz GLK SUV robbed a victim of a gold wrist chain and rings. Obi was arrested around 1am on September 27 at the Toll Gate on the Lagos-Ogun boundary, while efforts to arrest other members of the gang continued.
Tijani said the command recovered 43 vehicles and two vehicle keys, five pump-action guns, five locally made pistols, 20 live ammunition and cartridges, 15 expended ammunition, two cutlasses and suspected criminal charms.
Other recovered items included a television set, radiator, car jack, engine block, vehicle spare parts and tools, as well as ₦2.5 million in cash and vandalised electrical wires.
In separate operations, police arrested suspected cultists, armed robbery suspects and alleged criminals in Mushin, Ikorodu, Badagry, Oshodi, Epe, Ojo and other parts of Lagos.
Twelve suspected members of the Eiye confraternity were arrested in Imeke, Badagry, with a Mercedes-Benz vehicle, two car keys, a locally made cut-to-size gun and suspected criminal charms recovered. Seven of the suspects have reportedly been charged to court.
Police also arrested a 15-year-old suspected arms courier in Cappa, Oshodi, who was allegedly transporting firearms and ammunition concealed inside a loaf of bread.
The command said investigations were ongoing into several of the cases, with efforts continuing to arrest fleeing suspects and recover additional weapons.
The Commissioner also disclosed that enforcement had commenced against vehicles with covered number plates and unregistered vehicles, with more than 41 vehicles impounded.
Tijani assured Lagos residents that the command would continue to protect officers carrying out their lawful duties while holding accountable any officer whose conduct falls below professional standards.
He urged residents to continue providing credible information to the police, stressing that security remained a shared responsibility.