Press Briefing by CP Hakeem O. Odumosu, psc, Commissioner of Police, Lagos State on Successes Recorded by the Command in the last 119 days, held on 12th March, 2020 at the Command Headquarters, Ikeja.
Good morning Gentlemen of the Press and thank you for honouring our invitation. Let me start by appreciating the Inspector General of Police, IGP Mohammed Adamu Abubakar, NPM, mni and his management team for their continuous supports to the Command. I am also grateful to the Government and people of Lagos State for partnering with us in the discharge of our statutory duties of maintaining law and order.
- In my maiden press briefing, I clearly stated that my mission as Commissioner of Police Lagos State Command is to provide a safer and better secured State that will guarantee the socio-economic well-being of the people and enhance their quality of life. This is being achieved through mobilization of a more courageous, dedicated, humane and professional police officers in the State. I equally rolled out the Command’s 2020 Policing plans which includes: Full implementation of Community based policing policies of the present police authorities, evolving strategies that will close the gaps between the police and the people, foster cordial relationship and build strong and effective partnerships; Visibility policing and prompt response to distress calls; Intelligence led policing approach, professional and unbiased investigation of criminal cases and diligent prosecution; Respect for and protection of human rights and zero tolerance for corruption; Multi agencies collaboration; Capacity building for Officers and Men of the Command and enhanced welfare package.
- I am bold to say that our policing strategies are yielding positive results. Within the last 119 days, the Command arrested 164 armed robbery suspects and successfully foiled 98 armed robbery attempts. 13 armed robbery suspects died during exchange of fire with the Police. 165 suspects were arrested for cultism. 4 suspects were arrested for kidnapping and 103 suspects were arrested for murder. The state recorded 10 cases of suicide and prevented 7 suicide attempts. 34 assorted firearms with lots of ammunition of different calibre were recovered. The Command also recovered 22 stolen vehicles.
- On the enforcement of restriction of motorcycles and tricycles on 48 routes, bridges and express ways, I made bold to declare that a total of 3,512 motorcycles and 202 tricycles were impounded since the commencement of the enforcement and 40 suspects were arrested. Twenty five traffic offenders, mostly those driving against traffic (one way) were arrested and successfully prosecuted.
- A number of intelligence driven raids were carried out on criminal hideouts, uncompleted and abandoned buildings in different parts of the State. A total of 981 suspects were arrested. Out of this number, 190 were screened out, 791 were charged to Court. 723 suspects were convicted, 25 suspects were discharged, 21 suspects had their cases struck out, and 22 suspects are awaiting trial.
- Below are summary of some of our modest achievements
Arrest of seven notorious armed robbery suspects and top cult members; with six pistols recovered.
On 27/02/2020 at about 1620hrs, acting on credible intelligence operatives from the Special Anti-Robbery stormed a criminal hideout at Iyana-Iba criminal where a notorious armed robbery kingpin popularly known as Shola Okoko danger and gangs are believed to be occupying. Four suspects were arrested. They are Idris Musa ‘m’ 19 years old; Oluwaseyi Oguntobi ‘m’ 23years old; Ramon Adebimpe ‘m’ 18 years old; and Saheed Kareem ‘m; 19 years old. Four locally made pistol with three live cartridges were recovered from them. In a follow up investigation, three suspects were arrested in some criminal hideouts at Ilupeju and Onipanu. They are Tosin Benjamin a.k.a Lube ‘m’ 37 years old; Segun Ogunmola a.k.a Segun Alapata ‘m’ 28years old; and Joseph Oyebowale a.k.a Jossy ‘m’ 33 years old. Two locally made double barrel pistols with three live cartridges were recovered. The suspects are also top members of Aiye confraternity and are linked to several cases of murder and armed robbery. Investigation is ongoing, the suspects will be charged to Court.
Nineteen suspects arrested for gang violence and murder at Ogudu.
Following incidents of violent cults and gang clashes in Ogudu area by some notorious cultists in a battle for supremacy that left 2 persons dead and few others injured, the Command’s Special Strike Force on Social Miscreants and other tactical units were deployed to Ogudu to restore sanity to the area. Nineteen suspects were arrested on the 2nd February, 2020. They include: Alade Samuel ‘m’ 22yrs; Nurudeen Babatunde ‘m’ 24yrs; Olumadu Damilola ‘m’ 19yrs; Onibudo Rilwan ‘m’ 17yrs; Rafiu Olamilekan ‘m’ 22yrs; Bamidele Sulaiman ‘m’ 19yrs; Ahmed Saka ‘m’ 19yrs; Bolaji Ogunniyi ‘m’ 25yrs; Olamilekan Saheed Adebisi 29‘m’ yrs; Kolawole Ayotunde ‘m’ 21yrs; Ikenna Cosmos ‘m’ 24yrs; Olaide Ogungbele ‘m’ 18yrs; Korede Joyi ‘m’ 26yrs; Yekini Abiodun ‘m’ 34yrs; Aborinde John ‘m’ 25yrs; David Atanda ‘m’ 27yrs; Opeyemi Fasola ‘m’ 20yrs; Aladeniyi Aladegbami ‘m 36yrs; and Obuh Onyekachukwu ‘m’ 34yrs. The suspects will be charged to court.
Arrest of a deadly Aiye Confraternity Kingpin Sikiru Samuel a.k.a Samora and eight members of his gang.
In a bid to sustain the ongoing onslaught on cultists and other social miscreants in Ikorodu, Imota, Agbowa, Owutu, Ijede, Ipakodo and Owode Onirin, I deployed our Special Strike Force on Social Miscreants to Ikorodu axis. The operation, which is intelligence driven, has recorded another remarkable achievement with the arrest of a deadly leader of Aiye confraternity, Sikiru Samuel a.k.a Samora 24 years old, at Imota. Other members of this gang arrested are: Adegboyega Ismaila ‘m’ 19 years old; Sunkanmi Shonubi ‘m’ a.k.a Napel 19 years old; Adigun Faruq ‘m’ 18 years old; Rilwan Akinwale ‘m’ 30 years old; Victor Uju ‘m’ a.k.a Zino 18years old; Juwon Idowu ‘m’ a.k.a lighter 18 years old; Rasak Adebola ‘m’ a.k.a ‘Bobo’ 20 years old and Kehinde Keshinro ‘m’ 18 years old. The gang is responsible for series of violent attacks and gang violence in Imota and environs. One of such violent attacks happened on 12/02/2020 at about 0830hours which led to the death of one David Nwanga ‘m’ 30 years old of Araro Adamo area. The suspects will be charged to Court.
Arrest of seven suspects for cultism and gang violence
On the 12/2/2020 at about 1020hrs, information was received from members of the public that some persons suspected to be robbers and cultists were sighted at Itupate and Daudu area of Ikorodu attacking and robbing unsuspecting victims of their valuables. On receipt of the information, Police operatives from Igbogbo Division and SARS were mobilized to the scene where they arrested the following suspects: Seun Opanusi ‘m’ 25 years old, Ahmed Tajudeen ‘m’ 21 years old, Emmanuel Olowu ‘m’ 18 years old, Jimoh Balikis ‘f’ 18 years old, Mariam Owolabi ‘f’ 18 years old, Ayomide Omotosho ‘m’ 18 years old and Rabiu Suleiman ‘m’ 18 years old. They confessed to be members of Aiye and Eiye cult groups. It was revealed that the suspects are among those criminal elements terrorizing Ikorodu and its environs. Investigation is ongoing to apprehend other members of their groups at large.
Arrest of a notorious kidnapper
On 23/2/2020 at about 0620hrs, operatives of Anti-kidnapping squad arrested one Jerome Ukena ‘m’ 26 years old, a native of Egun Cotonou, Republic of Benin. The suspect was arrested at the water way, Ilaje community, Bariga Makoko. He is arrested in connection with a case of kidnapping reported by one Ola Makinde Abidemi “m” of Alogba Estate zone D Ikorodu Lagos, whose wife Oluwatoyin Makinde, and their 6-month-old daughter were kidnapped in his residence on the 16/2/2020 and released two days later. The suspect led detectives to their hide out at Ajegunle of Ikorodu where a three year old baby was found and rescued. The phone used by the suspect to demand for ransom was recovered. The suspect confessed to the commission of the crime. Concerted effort is being made to arrest the fleeing members of the gang.
Police burst a syndicate that specialised in shop breakings in major markets in Lagos Island
On the 5th February, 2020 information was received from a reliable source, that there exists a syndicate of notorious burglars who break into phone shops, boutiques etc at Balogun market, Lagos Island, Ajah and its environs. On receipt of the information, operatives from RRS were drafted to closely monitor the area. The exercise paid off, in that on the 10/2/2020 at about 0200hrs, the syndicates comprising of one Isa Seidu ‘m’ 21 years old, Tairu Melaye ‘m’ 25 years old and Lucky Chukwudi ‘m’ 43 years old were arrested while breaking into a shop at Balogun market, Lagos Island. Items recovered from the suspects include: Ninety-seven pairs of shoes, seven fabrics, children wears and Lady’s bags. The suspects confessed to have burgled several shops in the past. Investigation is ongoing to apprehend other suspects at large.
Police burst armed robbery syndicate who disguise as police officers in Ikorodu and robbing people of their motorcycles
On the 3/3/2020 at about 2100 hours, one Musa Ibrahim ‘m’ and Umar Saliu ‘m’ reported at Shagamu road Division, Ikorodu that one Sunday Shaibu ‘m’ and Samson Akoh ‘m’ of Odogunyan in Ikorodu and two others members of their gang snatched their Bajaj Motorcycle with registration number 3 AA144 QP at Ileepo Oba, Ikorodu on 21/01/2020 at about 2030hours. The suspects operate in Volkswagen Golf Car with registration number TD448 KJA wearing black T-Shirts with the word ‘Police’ boldly written at the back. Their modus oparendi includes, stopping their victims at strategic locations and arresting them for traffic offences. They extort money from the victims, impound their motorcycles and tell the victims to meet them at the Police Station to collect the motorcycles with proof of ownership and other necessary documents. Noticing the victims must have left to get the documents, the suspects will quickly disappear with the Motorcycles to where they will contact their buyer. The same syndicate snatched a Bajaj Motorcycle on 16/2/2020 at about 2100hours, along Sabo round about Ikorodu. The two principal suspects, Sunday Shaibu ‘m’ and Samson Akoh ‘m’ were arrested on 3/3/2020 while the third suspect, Daniel Agala ‘m’ was arrested on 4/3/2020. Detectives are still on the trail of the fourth suspect. One walkie talkie, three stolen phones and Mobile Police Force insignia were recovered from them. The suspects will be charged to Court.
Arrest of a notorious car snatching suspect and recovery of two stolen vehicles
On 08/2/2020 at about 1500hrs, on the strength of information and credible intelligence, Police operatives from Oke Odo Police Station arrested a notorious car snatching suspect, Yusuf Akinradewo ‘m’ 33 years old. The suspect took one Mitsubishi Montero Jeep with registration number GGE 620 AQ to one Wasiu Ogunsola ‘m’ Omolojuwo Street, Dalemo, Sango-ota, Ogun state to buy. When the buyer demanded for the original particulars of the vehicle, the suspect absconded. Police detectives eventually arrested the suspect and recovered another stolen vehicle from him, a Toyota Camry saloon car with registration number AGL 480 EC belonging to one Alhaji Nurudeen Rasaki ‘m’ of Isiaka Adekoya street Igbogbo, Ikorodu Lagos State. The owners of the stolen vehicles were contacted and they confirmed that the vehicles were stolen from Ikorodu. The suspect will be charged to Court, while the two recovered vehicles were handed over to the owners on bond.
Arrest of two armed robbery suspects and recovery of Firearms
On the 11/2/2020 at about 2030hrs, information received from a reliable source revealed that some armed robbers were sighted along LASU/Isheri Road by Iyana School bus stop, robbing unsuspecting victims of their valuables such as phones, jewelries, cash etc. On receipt of the information, Police operatives from Iba and SARS were mobilized to the scene. On sighting the operatives, the robbers scampered to different directions to avoid arrest but were given a manhunt. In the process, one of the robbers was arrested and a double barrel gun with two live cartridges were recovered from him. During interrogation, he gave his name as Ahmed Aminu ‘m’ 24 years old and later led the operatives to apprehend one of his fleeing members named Ahmed Alimi ‘m’ 39 years old. Investigation is ongoing with a view to apprehend other members of the gang.
Arrest of armed robbery suspect and recovery of firearms
On the 24/1/2020 at about 0800hrs, a renowned owner of a Bakery at Ajangbadi area of Lagos went to Agbara town and withdrew the sum of One million, five hundred thousand Naira (N1, 500,000.00) from three commercial banks. He was trailed home by some armed men operating on a motorcycle. The robbers fired him on his both legs, before dispossessing him of the entire money he withdrew from the bank. Police operatives from Ajangbadi and SARS were promptly mobilized to the scene. One Chinonso Ndioziri a.k.a. Smart 32 years old, who led the gang was arrested. One double barrel gun with four live cartridges and one expended cartridge were recovered. Investigation is ongoing to apprehend the fleeing members of the gang.
Arrest of two armed robbery suspects and recovery of firearms
On the 14/2/2020 at about 2020hrs, a group of armed robbers, operating in a motorcycle trailed a victim from his place of work at Abolarin Mushin to his house at Sadiku Street, Mushin. As the victim was opening his entrance gate, the robbers attacked him at gun point and dispossessed him of his bag containing cash sum of four hundred thousand Naira (N400, 000.00). The victim raised an alarm which attracted operatives from Olosan Division who were on crime prevention patrol around the area. One Dayo Adebayo ‘m’ 40 years old was arrested. One berretta pistol with two live ammunition was recovered from him. Investigation led operatives to the gang’s hide-out at Sadiku Junction, Mushin where another gang member, Omotoyosi Abdullahi ‘m’ 24 years old was arrested. Investigation is ongoing to apprehend other suspects at large.
Arrest of Berry Boys’ Supreme Cult Leader and 11 others in Itire and environs.
On 04/02/2020 at about 1920hours, following a sustained monitoring, Operatives from Itire Police Station arrested one Maliki Bello ‘m’ 22 years old. Maliki is the supreme leader of the notorious Berry Boys Secret Cult with operational base at Itire. He is a native of Lalopun, Kwara State but resides at 23 Ayinla Street Idiaraba area of Lagos state. Maliki has been on the wanted list of the Police for violent crimes and gang clashes. The suspect confessed to be responsible for series of violent attacks, murders and armed robbery incidents recorded in Idiaraba, Lawanson, Dosunmu, Ashimowo Bakare, Omo-Bola Mushin and Itire. The suspect told detectives that, he was initiated into the cult at age 12 when he was in Junior Secondary School (JSS1). He later rose to the number one position. The gang has an official Facebook page (Bbl Baloteli) with 1,928 friends. According to Maliki, they use the Facebook page and other social media accounts to recruit new members, plan attacks and give updates to members. Investigation led to the arrest of 11 additional suspects who are his gang members. The case is under thorough investigation at the end of which, they may be charged for murder, cultism, and other sundry offences as the investigation may reveal.
Police burst a syndicate in Agbara that specialised in robbing market women
Information received from a reliable source revealed that there is a particular armed robbery gang that targets traders, especially women on Agbara market days. On the 16/1/2020 at about 1600hrs, the same gang of robbers who operates on a motorcycle were sighted by Police operatives deployed to the area on surveillance patrol from Morogbo Division and SARS along Badagry expressway, close to Agbara market robbing unsuspecting victims. One Godwin Michael ‘m’ 23 years old was arrested. One locally made gun with three live catridges was recovered from him while others escaped with their operational motorcycle. Investigation was extended to their criminal hideout at Okuofor where another member of the gang, Kazeem Abiodun ‘m’ a.k.a KC, 30 years old was arrested. Investigation is ongoing.
Arrest of a suspected ‘one chance’ robbery gang leader and recovery of sienna bus used for the robbery operations
On the 3/2/2020 at about 0500hrs, information received from members of the public revealed that some armed robbers were sighted along Agidingbi road, Ikeja, operating in a Toyota Sienna bus with Reg. No. APP 488 FH, attacking and robbing unsuspecting victims of their valuables. This is a Toyota Sienna described by quite a number of victims on several occasions, especially on the social media. On the receipt of the information, operatives from RRS, who have been on the lookout for the said vehicle and gang swung into action. The vehicle was intercepted and one Matthew Tokeme ‘m’ 50yrs, who is the leader of the robbery gang and also the owner of the vehicle, was arrested. He confessed to being the leader of the ‘one chance’ robbery gang. Investigation is ongoing to apprehend other gang members at large.
Arrest of fake mobile Policeman
On the 10/2/2020, at about 0800hrs, Policemen on enforcement of the ban on motorcycles in restricted areas arrested one Monday Job ‘m’ 32 years old at Oshodi riding motorcycle and fully dressed in police mobile uniform. A closed look on his name tag and badge gave room for further probing. He could not give satisfactory account of himself and the squadron he is attached to. In the cause of investigation, he confessed to be an impersonator. It was revealed that he has been wearing the uniform to commit all kinds of criminal activities, ranging from illegal escort of contraband goods from Cotonuo to Lagos. Escorting vehicles from Lagos to other parts of the country, intimidating, harassing and extorting money from innocent members of the public, claiming to be a mobile police man. Investigation is ongoing and the suspect will be charged to court as soon as the investigation is concluded.
Three suspects were arrested with human skull
On the 01/03/2020 at about 1330HRS a team of policemen from Area E Command, Festac while on routine stop and search duty at Alakija Bus Stop along Lagos-Ibadan, Badagry express way, intercepted one Dauda Tijani ‘m’ 42years old of No 23 Omomwunmi Street Orege Ajegunle with a black polythene bag containing a human skull. He confessed that he was sent by an herbalist one Olawale Shodolamu ‘m’ 70years old. The said herbalist was also arrested. He claimed that he bought the human skull from one Seun Falana ‘m’ 37years old, a staff of Trinity Cemetery Ajegunle at the sum of Ten thousand naira (10,000.00). The third suspect was equally arrested. Investigation is ongoing.
Once again, thank you and God bless you.