As part of the ongoing war against crime and criminality in Lagos State, the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Agency (LNSA) has carried out a massive statewide raid of identified blackspots, criminal hideouts, and shanties across the metropolis, leading to the arrest of 279 suspected criminals, hoodlums, and miscreants.
Speaking while parading the suspects at the Agency's Headquarters in Bolade, Oshodi, the General Manager of the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Agency, Prince (Dr.) Ifalade Oyekan FISN, warned criminals and other individuals with unlawful intentions to stay away from Lagos State or face the full weight of the law.
According to Oyekan, the operation was carried out from the late hours of Sunday through Monday as part of the State Government's sustained efforts to rid Lagos of criminal elements and maintain law and order. He explained that the exercise was intelligence-driven, leveraging the Agency's extensive network of community informants and operatives to identify blackspots and criminal hideouts in various parts of the state.
The General Manager disclosed that a total of 279 suspects, comprising 274 males and five females from different parts of the country, were arrested for various offences, including theft, public nuisance, and other criminal activities. He noted that many of the suspects had no means of identification and could not provide verifiable residential addresses.
Oyekan further revealed that some of those arrested for constituting public nuisance were individuals who allegedly entered Lagos aboard lorries and vehicles commonly used for transporting livestock and goods into the state. He emphasized that while every Nigerian has the constitutional right to reside and move freely within any part of the country, Lagos State will not tolerate criminality or activities capable of undermining the peace and security enjoyed by residents.
"The exercise is in line with the mandate of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his Deputy Dr. Obafemi Hamzat to ensure that Lagos retains its position as the safest and most secure state in Nigeria despite its large and growing population. Through our intelligence network and collaboration with sister security agencies, we will continue to ensure that law-abiding residents feel the presence of government while criminals find no hiding place in Lagos," he said.
The LNSA boss also disclosed that two suspects were apprehended while allegedly attempting to steal a submersible pumping machine from a residential apartment. Several others were found in possession of dangerous weapons, including machetes and knives, as well as suspected illicit drugs and other prohibited items.
Reiterating the Agency's commitment to public safety, Oyekan stated that the operation would be sustained and expanded in collaboration with relevant security and law enforcement agencies across the state.
Following the raid, all the suspects were transferred to the Lagos State Special Offences Mobile Court for further investigation and possible prosecution.
0 Comments