Six suspected gang members arrested in Lagos

Hundeyin

Six suspected members of a notorious criminal gang have been arrested by operatives of the Lagos State Police Command during a routine patrol, police authorities confirmed on Monday.

The arrests were made on Thursday during a stop-and-search operation after officers intercepted an unregistered vehicle behaving suspiciously in the Lagos metropolis. A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of two locally made pistols, 16 rounds of 9mm ammunition, 17 live cartridges, and an unregistered 1999 Toyota Camry believed to have been stolen.

The suspects have been identified as Yakubu Oke, 48; Teslim Balogun, 33; Emmanuel Osas, 33; Joseph Abah, 34; Idris Adewunmi, 32; and Opeyemi Kolawole, 28.

“They were questioned at the scene but failed to provide any valid identification or plausible explanation about their movements,” a senior police officer told this reporter under condition of anonymity.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects belong to a criminal gang already on the police watchlist for a series of armed robberies and other violent crimes across the state.

Confirming the arrest, the Police Public Relations Officer for the Lagos State Command, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, stated in a text message:

“Yes, I can confirm that six suspects were arrested. Arms, ammunition, and a suspected stolen vehicle were recovered. The suspects are currently assisting with ongoing investigations.” Punch