Five arrested as police clamp down on armed guards in Lagos

Five local guards have been arrested at Egbeda and Isheri Osun areas of Lagos, for allegedly being in possession of fire arms.

Their arrest followed an order by the newly appointed Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Edgal Imohimi, for an immediate clamp down on all armed watchmen in the metropolis.

It was gathered that the move is to retrieve all illegally acquired arms in the hands of vigilantes in the area.

It was also gathered that some members of the vigilante group are allegedly involved in robbery, ritual killings and kidnapping in the state.

One automatic single barrel gun, four locally made double barrel rifles, 22 live ammunition and two expanded cartridges were allegedly recovered from the group.

Edgal, while addressing journalists during his maiden press conference, yesterday, described the suspects as notorious armed robbers who have been terrorizing members of the public in recent times.

The police commissioner said that the five suspects were arrested based on intelligence report from members of the public on the criminal activities of the gang.

But in a swift reaction, those arrested said that the rifles found on them were given to them by the chairman of their landlords association in Egbeda.

One of the those arrested, who identified himself as Ayodele Ojo, said that they were shocked when they were raided by the police, who according him, have been working hand in hand with them .