…Police, Army Clamp Down on Criminal Gangs, CP Leads Coordinated Operation
In a major breakthrough against criminal activities in Lagos, no fewer than 114 suspected hoodlums were arrested on Sunday during a joint operation by the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Armed Forces in Mushin Local Government Area.
The crackdown, which followed weeks of coordinated intelligence gathering and surveillance, brought relief to residents and traders who have been living in fear due to frequent reports of murder, robbery, rape, and property destruction in the area.
The operation was spearheaded by the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Olohundare Moshood Jimoh, alongside DCP Fatai Tijani (Deputy Commissioner of Police – Operations), and ACP Bamidele Awoniyi, the Area Commander of Area D Command.
At least 52 young males between the ages of 16 and 20 were arrested in connection with a series of violent attacks across various Mushin communities. The arrests were carried out during raids at multiple locations in the early hours of Sunday and lasted into the late afternoon. The teams involved included the Lagos State Task Force, Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Tactical Teams, Mobile Police Force, and other allied security units.
In a related raid, officers from the Nigeria Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC), Oshodi, arrested 62 additional suspects believed to be collaborators and financiers of the violent gangs operating within Mushin. The suspects, aged between 16 and 26, were later handed over to the police for prosecution. Rd
According to police sources, the suspects are among those who mobilised and provided support to criminal gangs responsible for night-time attacks on innocent residents.
The coordinated efforts also involved the OP MESA squad and followed credible intelligence that linked several syndicates in Oshodi to the prolonged unrest in Mushin and its environs.
Police authorities have confirmed that all arrested suspects will be charged to court on Monday and prosecuted accordingly. Ongoing investigations are expected to lead to further arrests in the coming days.
Present during the operation were the Executive Chairman of Mushin Local Government, Hon. Emmanuel Bamigboye; the Vice Chairman, Hon. Tunbosun Aruwe (also the APC Chairmanship Candidate); and Hon. Semiu Karaole, Supervisor for Education and Vice Chairmanship candidate of the APC in the July 12 local government elections.
Speaking after the operation, ACP Awoniyi vowed to pursue and bring all perpetrators of violence, including those responsible for recent killings, robbery, and sexual violence, to justice.
The security team also paid a condolence visit to the family of a 10-year-old boy who was killed during an earlier attack by the same group of hoodlums.
The Mushin Local Government has expressed its commitment to supporting security efforts in the area to ensure lasting peace and protection of lives and properties.
Culled from: Bamigboye Media Team
