CITY NEWS Taskforce raids criminal hideouts, arrests 76 robbery suspects
Operatives of the Lagos State Taskforce have arrested 76 suspects during a raid of criminal hideouts in the metropolis.
The suspects were said to have been arrested at Iyana-Ipaja and Oshodi areas of the state.
The taskforce officials also plan to extend their operations to Egbe-Idimu, Iyana-Ipaja (AbuleOki & Car-wash), Ikotun, Mushin, Bariga, Apapa, Orile-Agege, Ajegunle, Ikorodu, Lagos-Island, Oshodi, Pen-cinema, Berger, Oyingbo, Mile 2, Fadeyi and Ojuelegba.
The recent raid followed a matching order by the Lagos State Commissioner of Police Imohimi Edgal, directing the Chairman of the Task Force, Superintendent of Police (SP) Olayinka Egbeyemi as well as Area Commanders and their Divisional Police (DPOs) to smash all criminal hideouts/ black-spots across the state.
Franklin Anyawun, 28, of No. 11, Oremeji Street, Iyana-Ipaja was allegedly arrested with bags Indian hemp.
In his confessional statement, he admitted to being the ring leader of ‘Omije Boys’ who had been terrorising members of the public and dispossessing people of their valuables.
He said: “I distribute Indian hemp and other dangerous drugs to hoodlums at Iyana Ipaja. I have also extended my operations to Oshodi, Fadeyi, Idi-oro, Mushin and Bariga.”
Also arrested during the midnight raid was another criminal who identified himself as Olumide Sanni.
The 19-year member of a gang that specialises in snatching bags and phones from innocent members of the public around Railway-line at Oshodi.
Olumide Sanni, who hailed from ‘Oderemo’ in Ogun State confessed that he has been arrested thrice by the task force.
He said he operates along with others around Oshodi.
Egbeyemi confirmed the arrest, including that of a wanted criminal who doubles as the ring leader of a cult group ‘Omije Boys’, Franklin Anyawun.
He said the state government would not fold its hand and watch criminals destroy its huge investment on infrastructures across the state.
The chairman urged criminal elements to get themselves meaningfully engaged in any vocational skills at any of the government established centres across the state.