Five suspected robbers and 72 cultists were at the weekend arrested by operatives of the Lagos State Police Command in different areas.
The robbers, according to a statement by spokesman Bala Elkana, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), were arrested at about 1:30pm on Friday behind Angle 90 Bar, Ilasan in Lekki.
He said the police had received a distress call about the presence of suspected robbers and cultists at the place and deployed men there, adding that the leader of the gang, Ibrahim Abu, 32, and four others identified as Samuel Usai, John Nwaru, Emmanuel Moro, and Michael Daniel were nabbed.
“On searching the suspects, one locally-made pistol with 10 unexpended cartridges were recovered. Investigation is on. The suspects will be arraigned after investigation,” Elkana said.
He said the police also arrested 72 suspected cultists comprising 34 Awawa boys at Akerele in Agege and 38 others at Idiroko in Ikorodu, following clashes in the areas.
Elkana said the Awawa boys were arrested on July 17, at about 8:30am and seven bags of weed suspected to be marijuana were recovered from their hideout.
“The suspects were handed over to the task force at Oshodi for prosecution. Thirty-eight others were arrested on July 6 around 9:30am after youths from Idiroko, Adeola and Ajose in Owutu, Ikorodu, clashed.
“The youth attacked passersby and damaged vehicles. However, the combined teams of policemen mobilised to the scene and restored peace.
“Thirty-eight suspects were arrested and taken to the task force at Oshodi for prosecution. Security has been tightened in the area to forestall further threat to law and order.
“On July 20, at about 9:45pm, men at Bariga Police Station arrested Alayakin Azeez Olawale, 32, at Egbenrogde Street. The suspect was identified as the leader of Aiye confraternity in the area that had earlier in the day attempted to cause a breach of the peace at Bariga. Investigation in ongoing, the suspect will be charged to court.”
