How We Are Keeping Lagos Safe and Secure – CP Fayoade Adegoke

…2,253 Suspected Criminals Prosecuted in 3 Months

Segun Atanda/

Lagos State Commissioner of Police (CP) Fayoade Adegoke has presented the scorecard of his officers in the past 100 days showing how they have kept the city safe and secure.

According to Adegoke, the Lagos State Police Command, in the past month, arrested 64 suspects who have engaged in crimes including armed robbery, cultism and unlawful possession of firearms, unlawful possession of illicit drugs, and recovered a total of 20 firearms including four toy guns, 120 rounds of toy ammunitions, 28 live ammunitions, 15 live cartridges and three expended cartridges alongside recovery of four vehicles, POS machine, seven cutlasses, illicit drugs and various charms.

“Since I assumed duty, a total of 2,329 suspects have been arrested for crimes ranging from cultism to armed robbery leading to the recovery of stolen property. In the same vein, 2,253 have been prosecuted. In contrast, many others are being processed for prosecution,” Adegoke announced at a media briefing held at the Mike Okiro Officers Mess, Ikeja, today.

He added, “In the past days, I have piloted the affairs of the State Command with all sense of professionalism, charging my men to be up and doing and not spearing the big stick on officers found wanting. We have rejigged our township patrol, paying special attention to high-risk areas, especially at peak periods. This has helped a lot to reduce traffic robberies.

“The enforcement of the ban on motorcycles is not left out as our continuous enforcement drives have yielded positive results. A total of 4,502 motorcycles have so far been impounded on banned routes and handed over to the State Government for crushing.”

Adegoke mentioned a case of kidnapping recorded at Isheri area on February 1, 2024, where a victim was kidnapped and was made to pay a ransom of N50,000, after which he was killed. Officers have arrested the suspected perpetrator identified as Anthony Edum Osar.

Giving a breakdown of the cases, Adegoke listed the crimes, the suspects, and how the crimes were committed.

Adegoke named some suspects arrested on March 3, 2024, for cultism and unlawful possession of a firearm in Agbara and its environs as 23-year-old Stanley Sunday; Damilola Osun (19), and Kabiru Taiwo (24). He said that one locally made cut to size single barrel pistol was recovered from them.

A similar case on March 5, 2024, led to the arrest of one Jovi Anu (27), Endurance Ifoma (30), Bolaji Olaojoyegbe (25), and Richard Akinde (27) in connection with cult-related activities. One locally made cut-to-size single-barrel pistol with five live cartridges was allegedly recovered from them.

Adegoke added that on February 21, 2024, at about 1500hrs, his officers rescued one Daniel Nwalem (28) and Solomon Nwalem, aged 30, from mob action after the duo snatched a motorcycle in the Ayobo area.

“Solomon who was fatally injured died some moments after while Daniel was taken into custody. One locally made pistol was recovered at the scene. The duo was a syndicate that specializes in snatching motorcycles around Ayobo environs and selling them off, further investigation led to the arrest of their receiver Oliver Edel ‘m’ aged 56 on March 12, 2024, at Alagbado area of the state,” Adegoke said.

Adegoke also mentioned cases of conspiracy and kidnapping, including one that happened on February 20, 2024, where three men, one in military uniform accosted a young man and subsequently abducted him in a Honda Salon car and demanded ransom. 

“The victim then transferred the sum of N400,000 to his abductors before he was released to another group who took him away in their Toyota Camry car, obtained him of his Diamond earrings, gold earrings, Cartier wristwatch, and iPhone 12 pro max, and then demanded a ransom of N6,400,000. A friend of the victim paid the sum of N50,000 to the abductors.

“Upon reporting the case, luckily, the victim was able to identify a young lady he saw pointing at him before the incident. Investigation led to the arrest of Zara Onyesom ‘f’ aged 28, Abayomi Olalere Ishola ‘m’ aged 28, Chima Cyril Collins ‘M’ aged 29, Oluwasheun Illre ‘m’ aged 40 and Ayodabo Olumuyiwa Muyideen ‘m’ aged 38. One Honda Salon car and a Toyota Camry car were recovered. All items obtained from the victim were recovered and handed over to him.  The case has been charged to court,” Adegoke said.

Officers also arrested a 40-year-old Malik Kolawole and Muiz Abiodun (23) for unlawful possession of firearm at Idotun area of Ibeju Lekki on March 7, 2024. One locally made single barrel pistol with one live and three expended cartridges were allegedly recovered from them.

Another suspect, Taiwo Olaleye, was arrested in connection with the possession of three short locally-made-cut-to-size gun on March 4, 2024.

Those arrested for cultism and unlawful possession of firearm included 29-year-old Odubola Suleiman, Owuye Temitope (38), both identified as wanted and notorious cultists members. One locally made pistol was allegedly recovered from them, and the case has been charged to court.

Officers also caught 32-year-old James Chinedu at Ishashi area with one locally made pistol, two live cartridges and charms. They said that the suspect confessed to being a member of a confraternity.

A 57-year-old suspect identified as Clement Ajayi was arrested while loitering around Badagry expressway, and some quantities of weed suspected to be Indian hemp were recovered from him. The police suspect that he is a drug peddler.

Adegoke said that a 42-year-old suspect, Paul Robert Daniel, Sunday Solomon (26) and Jennifer Ngozi (32) were arrested at Ilogbo/Ajangbadi area in possession of some quantities of substance suspected to be Methamphetamine (ICE). They are suspected to be drug peddlers.

He said that based on credible intelligence on the activities of some group of boys suspected to be members of a confraternity terrorizing Ijanikin/Badagry area of Lagos State, officers were dispatched to the area where eight men were arrested. They were identified as 25-year-old Segun Sunday, Adeyemi Oyero (28), Siliki Akeem (26), Emeka Collins (36), Lukmon Okedeyi (26), Oyebola Mustapha (26), Akinola Omisesan (34), and Abass Taiwo Hassan (35).

The commissioner of police also mentioned the arrest of suspected robbers made on March 15, 2024. He identified the suspects as Aliu Umaru (25) and Sabiu Abdullahi (20). They were allegedly in possession of a toy gun around Badagry-Seme border. They are suspected to be armed robbers.

Officers also smashed a 3-man One-Chance-Syndicate, arrested a 36-year-old Idowu Jelili and charged him to court while the police are still searching for fleeing members of the gang.

“On March 15, 2024, officers searched the house of a suspect identified as Ifedayo Moses based on a defilement case reported against him and recovered two locally made shot gun with three live cartridges.  One of the arms belonged to Moses’ friend one Muyideen Alani who was arrested as well. Muyideen claimed to have taken the arm from his brother who is an OPC member in Osun State. The case has been charged to court.

“On March 15, 2024, at about 1500hrs, operatives of the Command arrested one Seun Samuel ‘m’ aged 35, a wanted and notorious armed robber. One AK47 rifle with 27 rounds of live ammunition was recovered from him,” Adegoke said.

He mentioned a case of armed robbery that occurred on June 6, 2023, where the suspect and security men entered a car dealer’s shop and went away with a Lexus ES 350 car. On March 12, 2024, the suspect identified as Afeez Bolaji was arrested, and vehicle recovered. One locally made fabricated baretta pistol, one English pistol with one live ammunition were recovered from him.

He also mentioned a case of diversion reported on February 19, 2024, where a 40ft container loaded with food items heading to Apapa port was diverted to unknown destination. On March 11, 2024, officers arrested six men – Tunde Yusuf, Yinka Daniel, Ajayi Pelumi, Micheal Ajayi, Ikechukwu Amechi Joseph, Bakare Adeboye, and a woman – Toyin Adegbola in connection with the case. Part of the goods were recovered and handed over to the owner.

Adegoke said, “On March 20, 2024, at about 0830hrs, operatives of the Command arrested one Micheal Mmirai ‘m’ aged 36 in possession of three toy gun with 120 rounds of toy ammunitions and substances suspected to be Methamphetamine (ICE) around Ijanikin area. He is suspected to be an armed robber.

“Based on credible intelligence about the activities of a one chance syndicate operating around Orile, Mile 2, Oyingbo, Ajegunle and Festac Town, operatives of the Command have arrested one Onyeakachukwu Melidem ‘m’ and Falilat Ajibola ‘f’, a POS operator for the group. One POS machine and Cutlass was recovered from them. Effort is on-going to arrest their ringleader one Jasparo and other fleeing members of the gang.

“Based on intelligence on the activities of some group operating with a minibus, disguising as driver to lure innocent people, and carting away their properties, on March 13, 2024, at about 0220hrs, operatives of the Command arrested one Nelson Oke ‘m’ and the operational vehicle was recovered.  The case has been charged to court.

“On March 15, 2024, at about 2015hrs, while operatives of the Command were on patrol, two boys took to their heels upon sighting police, they were pursued. The police arrested one Idowu Alaga ‘m’ aged 26 and Kareem Raheem ‘m’ aged 27 in possession of one locally made pistol with two live cartridges.

“On March 20, 2024, at about 1830hrs based on report about congregation of some boys around Orile market environs, operatives of the Command stormed the area and arrested one Ranti Ayanshola ‘m’ aged 59 and Faruq Ayanshola ‘m’ aged 25 while others fled from the scene. Six cutlasses, various charms and weed suspected to be Indian hemp were recovered. The case has been charged to court.

“On March 25, 2024 at about 1010hrs, based on report on an ongoing butchering of a sienna vehicle part at Okokomaiko area, operatives of the Command stormed the area and arrested one Gambo Jubril ‘m’ aged 31, Muhammed Sanni ‘m’ aged 31, Usman Sanni ‘m’ aged 33, Mustapha Saliu ‘m’ aged 28, Abba Abdullahi ‘m’ aged 24, Saminu Abubakar ‘m’ aged 18, Aruna Abdullahi ‘m’ aged 21, Awoulu Yusuf ‘m’ aged 25, Useni Bala ‘m’ aged 22. The said vehicle was stolen same date at about 0130hrs at Era area of the State. Parts of the butchered vehicle were recovered.

“On March 24, 2024, at about 2210hrs, operatives of the Command arrested one Bright Patrick ‘m’ aged 29 in possession of one locally made double barrel gun with two live cartridges. Investigation led to the arrest of the arm owner one Udichuckwu Okwudili ‘m’ aged 39. They are suspected to be armed robbers. All suspects are to be charged to court at the conclusion of investigation.

“Our resolve is to continue to improve on our performance by regularly reviewing our strategies, re-jig our men and motivate them for better performance. Our relationship with the members of the public will remain cordial and we shall continue to respond to incident promptly, we shall be more visible and accessible and dominate all the nook and cranny of the State.

“We shall be engaging with the community to build trust, gather information and collaborate on addressing safety concerns. We shall also leverage on technology integration, using modern technology like surveillance, GPS tracking and data analytics for better monitoring and response.

“Our inter-agency collaboration remains intact, and we still leverage on it to enhance general security measures, and strengthen legal framework, thereby ensuring that laws are clear, enforceable and supports the efforts of the police on maintaining law and order.

“Our training and capacity building will not be left out. We have lined up training that will continuously ensure that police officers are well equipped intelligently and professionally to handle various situation effectively and efficiently.”

0