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Tag: Lagos State Police Command

  • Police detain alleged killer DPO

    Police detain alleged killer DPO

    Lagos State Police Command Wednesday detained the Divisional Officer (DPO) of Ijeshatedo, Mohammed Yakubu for allegedly killing a fashion designer, Jamiu Ayoade.

    Yakubu, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) was detained after the state government commenced an investigation into the incident that occurred Sunday night.

    This is just as residents alleged Ayoade was the third person the DPO has killed, claiming that the other two occurred at two other streets in the area.

    The police had earlier denied the DPO nor any cop fired a shot, a position a senior police officer blamed on the lie Yakubu told the Commissioner Fatai Owoseni.

    He said: “The DPO even lied to the Commissioner of Police that some cultists engaged themselves in a battle of supremacy and that he went to the scene following a distress call to his office. He said he went to the place to disperse the hoodlums. He said as at the time he arrived the scene and left, nobody was killed and that he was surprised to hear that somebody was shot.

    “Following the DPO’s briefing to the CP, he challenged the deceased’s family to produce the body of their son  who was shot, but, the family had burried him according to muslim rites.

    “With media reports on the killing, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris ordered the CP to personally visit the scene. The CP sent some under cover policemen who visited the house and he was shocked with the revelations from witnesses.

    “He immediately ordered the arrest of the DPO, who is currently being detained at the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID), Panti.”

    Owoseni, who confirmed that the DPO was in detention, said he would be prosecuted if found culpable.

    Owoseni disclosed that he has visited the area and met with the families of the

    He said: “I told you that we were investigating and we have sent undercover policemen to the family of the deceased and the scene of the incident. We spoke to many people. We now have true version of the story contrary to what the DPO told us.

    “The police under the leadership of the IGP operate in a manner that all actions must be in tandem with democratic principles and respect for human life. We would not condone any act of impunity. All those that are adorned with police uniform and get involved in impunity are not part of us.

    “The DPO is under investigation. If we find out that he is not one of those officers that belong to the new Nigeria Police the law will take its course. The DPO has been taken into custody. I have met with the family of the victim and we found out that it was imperative that investivation be carried out.

    “The Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of SCIID, the Area C Commander and the Commander X Squad have started the investigation. I’ll leave no stone unturned and we would not sweep the matter under the carpet.

    “As soon as evidence is put up, the officer or whoever committed the act of impunity would face the wrath of the law.”

     

  • Police promise violence-free LG polls in Lagos

    Police promise violence-free LG polls in Lagos

    The Lagos State Police Command says it will synergise with other security agencies to ensure violence-free Local Government elections in the state.

    The Commissioner of Police, Mr Fatai Owoseni, said this during the visit of the Chairman, Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), Justice Ayotunde Phillips, to the State Police Command on Wednesday in Ikeja.

    “We will also ensure that the obligations placed on security agencies with regards to security, before, during and after the elections will be rendered in the state.

    “Security agencies in the state will within the ambit of the law ensure a rancour-free society as we will provide adequate protection of lives and property,” the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quoted Owoseni as saying.

    He urged the media to educate voters to shun violence during elections.

    The Chairman of LASIEC said that they visited the command to solicit support for the elections scheduled for July 22.

    “We are here to solicit support for the upcoming local government polls as regards the security aspect and to know measures put in place.

    “The police had on their part also pledged support as always and the Commissioner of Police had said that even if we did not ask, he would render support.

    “The Commissioner of Police had told us the grievances of the political party executives which he met on Tuesday and we have promised to look into them when we get back.

    “We will be visiting other security agencies as we are committed to conducting a free and fair election.

    “We have done several stakeholders meetings and we will be having more of these meetings,” she said.

  • One killed, eight arrested in Lagos street fight

    One killed, eight arrested in Lagos street fight

    Lagos State Police Command on Wednesday said it arrested eight suspects following a street fight at Iyana-Ipaja which claimed one life.

    The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, told newsmen that the fighting broke out at about 10 p.m. on Tuesday and lasted until about 2 a.m. on Wednesday.

    “At about 10 p.m., we received distress call that some youths are on rampage at Iyana-Ipaja and we sent the police response team there.

    “The fight raged and continued till 2a.m when normalcy was restored.

    “Eight suspects were arrested and one person was killed in the course of the fight.

    “Investigation, however, revealed that fighting ensued over a girl, who resides at Abule-Oki area of Iyana-Ipaja.

    “The girl had gone to a party at Elere, Agege, where she was molested.

    “On getting back to her area, she told the youths who later blocked the road and led a fight towards Elere during which the police moved in to stop them.

    “Investigation is still on and will be extended to both sides of the community and those involved will be brought to book,” the police boss said.

  • Police discover new kidnappers’ hideout in Lagos

    Police discover new kidnappers’ hideout in Lagos

    The Lagos State Police Command  on Friday said it had discovered  a new kidnappers’  hideout where arms as well as  police and military life jackets were recovered.

    The Commissioner of  Police in Lagos, Mr Fatai Owoseni,  who confirmed the discovery to newsmen, said that it was made during raids of creeks at Isawo in  Ikorodu area of Lagos.

    Owoseni said  that the hideout was discovered on Thursday by a team of  Ikorodu Special Anti-Robbery  Squad (SARS) and Volunteer Police led by Superintendent Godfrey Soriweiu.

    He noted that the success came two weeks after the discovery of a similar hideout in  Isawo.

    “In continuation of its onslaught on militants operating from the creeks, Lagos State Police Command early Thursday morning raided and recovered seven army and police bullet-proof vests.

    “The teams also recovered eight ballistic helmets and nine life jackets from a new kidnapper’s hideout in Lagos.

    “Other item recovered by the team includes a speed boat belonging to the suspected kidnappers, “he said.

    He said that the team thereafter destroyed the hideout before moving the recovered items out of the location.

    “The suspected kidnappers, who were preparing their morning meal, scampered into safety on sighting the special team,  abandoning several items,” he said.

  • Police demolish criminal hideouts in Ishawo creeks

    Police demolish criminal hideouts in Ishawo creeks

    Security operatives from the Lagos State Police Command deployed to the riverine area of the Ishawo Community in Ikorodu area of the State on Wednesday commenced total demolition of illegal waterfront shanties within the creeks where criminal elements hibernate to perpetrate their nefarious activities.

    The State’s Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni who briefed journalists in Ishawo on the ongoing operations in the creeks by a combined team of the State Marine Police, the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), mobile policemen and the men from the anti-kidnapping squad in coordination with the local vigilante group, said 13 suspected kidnappers have already been arrested and are currently aiding the team to track down the remaining suspects still on the run.

    It would be recalled that two weeks ago, four Police Officers and one Army Captain lost their lives after an ambush unleashed on them by suspected militants in Ishawo area.

    Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, while condoling with the families and loved ones of the departed officers, had assured that every perpetrator directly or remotely linked to the dastardly act would be brought to justice in the shortest possible time.

    Owoseni said that the Governor immediately ordered a joint operation to hunt down the perpetrators, adding that the operation was yielding positive results.

    “So far so good following the attack that occurred at Ishawo where we lost four of our policemen and army captain, we have deployed operatives in the water. What you have seen now is for us to appraise what we have been doing for the past one week. So, quality arrests have been made and we are talking to them because the arrests that were made we believe that we get some evidential value from them, so they are talking to us, at least that makes us to know who we are looking for so that we won’t be just wild catching,” Owoseni said.

    The Commissioner of Police who was joined on the inspection of the joint operation to the den of the militants in Ishawo Creeks by the Commander, Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Mr. Tunji Disu, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Habib Aruna, security squad leaders and some journalists, said the visit was to appraise the work done so far and the next line of action.

    “Earlier this morning, they were able to get to the proper camps of these criminal elements where they saw some of them cooking food who fled immediately they saw the combined team. We just feel that we should take a decision to destroy the camps. The destruction of the camps are ongoing, that is why we are here and the officers that are handling the destruction of the camps, they are right inside the creeks now and at the end of the day, they would share the story as they finish that operations, but our movement here is just for you to see the terrain and see what the security operatives are facing with regards to policing this environment and that is why we are clamouring for the destruction of these shanties”, Owoseni said.

    Owoseni said that one of the suspected militants died during a fierce encounter with the Intelligence Response team of the Inspector General of Police, assuring residents in the area that they would go all out to ensure that they fish out all criminal elements in the State.
    “We still want to assure members of the public that these people have murdered sleep and they will not sleep, we will make sure that all of them are rooted out and that they face the full wrath of the law.

    “The 13 suspects we have, we are interrogating them and they are making useful statements for us and we are making progress and you can see that helicopter surveillance is also supporting all what we are doing but we want to assure members of the public around this axis that the government is ready, the security agents are ready to ensure that we put an end to the madness of these criminal elements,” the Commissioner of Police said.

    He said the Police have gathered necessary information on the perpetrators still on the run, assuring that one by one, they would be arrested and be made to face the full wrath of the law.

    He commended the synergy of the combined efforts of the security operatives, just as he added that the efforts of the local vigilante groups who are familiar with the terrain was critical to the operation especially in aiding to navigate the hideouts of the militants.

    “I want use this opportunity to thank the civilian men that have decided to join us and take us to navigate the water and also give us a lead to the centre of activities which is the creek where these criminal elements have been hibernating,” Owoseni said.

     

  • We killed Uber driver to steal his vehicle — Suspect

    We killed Uber driver to steal his vehicle — Suspect

    Detectives attached to the Anti-Kidnapping Squad of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested two suspects who posed as passengers and killed an Uber driver, in an attempt to steal his vehicle.

    The suspects and one other, who is at large, strangled the driver, Innevosa Emmanuel and disposed him of his KIA RIO salon car marked KTU 594DM.

    The suspects always go after uber drivers with the intention of killing them and stealing their cars, to resell them to new buyers.

    The suspects boarded the vehicle from Ikeja to take them to Ogba, Oke-Ira during which they suddenly ordered the driver to make a U-turn and take them to Oremeji Street, Obawole area of Ogba, where he was strangled with a belt by the robbers and the vehicle was driven away.

    According to one of the suspects, he said they were three that participated in the killing of the driver.

    “I and Michael met at Ogba where I went to drink and we became friends. I told him how difficult things were for me that I needed to relocate to Benin to start all over again.

    “It was at this point that Michael told me about a deal that could fetch me some money that we could get a car and then sell it to his boss.

    “Michael then told me about one Alex (Emmanuel) who had a vehicle and we agreed to meet the following day. Since then we had been meeting and discussing how to buy the vehicle.

    “On the fateful day, the Uber driver came, I was with Michael in his office and his friend Destiny was with him but I don’t know if he discussed the vehicle deal with Destiny.

    “Around 9:30p.m, we called the Uber driver to come and pick us at Tantalizer eatery at Ogba. I and Destiny were inside the vehicle with the driver, but Michael was outside while I was holding the belt.

    “Immediately I put the belt around the driver’s neck, Destiny dragged the belt and we strangled him. When we were satisfied that he was dead, we took his corpse to Oremeji Street and dumped him in front of a church around 10:30 p.m., without anybody noticing us.

    “After killing the driver, we took the vehicle to Michael’s boss to sell it. The buyer then inquired from us where we got the vehicle from and Michael told him that we killed the owner.

    “The buyer then said we should take the car away and Michael said we should take it to his house and park it outside, before taking it to another buyer in Benin.

    “Later we were tracked to Benin, arrested and brought back to Lagos.” the suspect said.

    The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Fatai Owoseni, who paraded the suspects at the Command headquarters, said the command received a report of a missing Uber driver, whose car was stolen and the driver missing.

    Owoseni said since then, it has been an issue of concern and detectives through their sustained efforts towards the missing driver, two days ago arrested two suspects in connection with the missing driver.

    “The suspects posed as passengers strangled the Uber driver and dumped his remains at Ogba and the vehicle was taken to Delta State, where it was recovered and the suspects arrested.”

    The Police boss said the suspects would soon be charged to court.

  • Senate seeks police, military collaboration to rid Lagos of kidnappers

    Senate seeks police, military collaboration to rid Lagos of kidnappers

    The Senate Tuesday resolved to ask the Federal Government to mandate the Nigeria Army, Navy and other security agencies to assist the Police in its quest to rid Lagos State particularly the creeks in Lagos East Senatorial District of criminal syndicates making use of its waterways to perpetuate crime.

    The upper chamber also urged the government to direct the inspector General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, to immediately instruct the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, to beef up the strength of the task force already constituted in order to effectively secure all the affected creeks and communities.

    It also advised the government to direct Mr. Idris to immediately make available sufficient helicopters for aerial surveillance and gunboats to the Marine Police department of the Lagos State Police Command to enable the State Command to effectively tackle the activities of militants in Lagos State.

    The resolutions followed the adoption of a motion on “the urgent need for the Nigerian Police Force and other security agencies to intervene in the increased rate of kidnapping in the Lagos East Senatorial District and securing the water ways.”

    Senator Gbenga Ashafa (Lagos East) who sponsored the motion in his lead debate noted recent increase in the activities of criminal syndicates who specialize in kidnapping/militant activities in and around communities in the Lagos East Senatorial District, particularly Kosofe, Epe, Ikorodu, Ibeju Lekki Local Government Areas.

    Ashafa expressed concern that the activities of the criminals have forced law-abiding residents of coastal/riverine communities of the affected communities to flee their communities and livelihood out of fear.

    He further expressed concern that on Friday, 7th April, 2017 one Mr. Ademola Salami, a 42 year old plank dealer was kidnapped in Ise community in Ibeju Lekki area of Lagos East Senatorial District by seven dare devil abductors, who escaped in a gunboat via the river.

    The abductors, he said, were demanding the sum of N100 million as ransom for his release.

    Ashafa said that “the situation is now so bad that even prominent citizens of Ise community, including HRM, Kabiyesi Onise of Ise, Oba Ganiyu Adegbesan, has had to vacate the community due to the level of insecurity in the area.”

    He said that it is disturbing that for the past seven years, a divisional Police station commissioned in Ise had been a ghost of itself as no police officers were deployed there until the recent attack.

    He recalled that a publication had the report of the case of two sand dredgers who were kidnapped in Ibeju Lekki by kidnappers that also stormed the community in a gunboat.

    Ashafa further recalled that between April and July, 2016 there were reports of militant activities in some communities in Ikorodu, including Elepete, Agbede, Ishawo and Igbo-Olomu, which led to the death of residents.

    He said that the militants were equally reported to have stormed the communities through the creeks using gunboats.

    The lawmaker said that he is “alarmed that the recent kidnap incidents have assumed a totally new and disturbing dimension in the sense that just yesterday, 9th April, 2017 an army Captain, identified as Muhammed, two other rank soldiers, four policemen, and a civilian lost their lives after suspected militants attacked Ishawo, in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State.

    “The late security operatives were responding to a distress call after the militants stormed and kidnapped some residents of Woodland Estate, close to the Ishawo creeks with about 10 speedboats according to reports relayed online.

    “It was also reported that other innocent citizens who were seriously injured are now receiving treatment at the Ikorodu General Hospital,” he lamented.

    He said that it is obvious that the activities of the criminal syndicates have caused untold hardship to the people of Lagos East Senatorial district and the intervention of the Federal Government is urgently required.

     

  • I only assisted a man get his daughter, says suspected kidnapper

    I only assisted a man get his daughter, says suspected kidnapper

    Twenty-eight-year-old Grace John accused of kidnapping her boss’ daughter, Oluwasemilore Adebiyi has said she only assisted the baby’s real father to collect her.

    John was paraded at the Lagos State Police Command Tuesday alongside two other women- Rita Eze and Ugochi Nweke- alleged to be buyers of the three-year-old girl.

    According to the apprentice, one Samuel approached her and told her that the baby’s mother, Mrs.

    Oluwatobiloba Adebiyi was his lover and got pregnant for him before marrying another man.

    She claimed it was the said Samuel who took her to the woman’s shop at Alagbado in January, where she later took the child and carried her to her alleged grandmother.

    John denied reports that she was responsible for the kidnapping of other children across the state, insisting that she was not a kidnapping.

    The police had alleged that the child was sold to three different buyers for N500, 000 and N600, 000 before her eventual rescue in Aba, Abia State.

    But John said: “Samuel told me the woman was his former girlfriend who married another man and that he wanted to take his child from her for proper care.

    “Samuel took me to the woman’s shop in Alagbado. I pretended that I want to learn bead making from her and we agreed on the modalities.

    “After seven days, I told the woman I was going to buy gala and I took the girl with me to Kola bus stop where I met Samuel, who instructed me to take her to his grandmother in Onitsha, because he is in school.

    “The following day, I boarded a bus to Onitsha and met the woman (Rita Eze). I handed over the child to her and she gave me the sum of N60, 000 for transport.

    “I never knew the child was not Samuel’s and I have never thought what I did was kidnapping. I just wanted to help a man who cried to me that his child is not being properly taken care of. I have not done it before.”

    Corroborating John’s story, Eze said she knew Samuel through an old classmate of hers, who told her they needed someone to take proper care of his child.

    She however stated that after taking delivery of the child, Samuel told her to sell the gil and she obliged.

    She said: “I met my old friend at an event in December and she told me her nephew (Samuel) has a child they need someone to take proper of.

    “She gave Samuel my number and he called to say his girlfriend will bring a child from Lagos. When Grace brought the girl, Samuel told me to sell the girl which I gave to Ugochi.

    “Ugochi gave me N500, 000. I gave Grace N60, 000 and took N40, 000. I sent the rest to Samuel. I never knew him before; I thought the child was his.  I never knew the child was kidnapped. I only accepted to help sell the child because I needed money to pay my house rent.”

    Nweke denied knowing the baby was kidnapped, adding that she didn’t collect a dime from the deal.

    She said she accepted to buy the baby in order to help a friend of hers who couldn’t conceive.

    Nweke said: “I told Rita if she has or know any motherless child that I have someone who is in need of a child to adopt and she told me she will get back to me.

    “When she called me that she has the child, I asked if it is genuine and she said yes. I informed my friend who provided the money. I never took anything from the money. I handed everything to Rita.”

    Police Commissioner Fatai Owoseni said the suspects would be prosecuted at the conclusion of investigation.

     

  • Four policemen die, another injured in Lagos accident 

    Four policemen die, another injured in Lagos accident 

    Four policemen attached to X Squad of the Lagos State Police Command have been killed after a lorry ran over their patrol van at Ikorodu.

    It was gathered that the accident occurred Sunday afternoon along Shagamu Road, Isiwu, while the team was chasing another patrol van that allegedly extorted money from some motorists.

    The X Squad team of five policemen including an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) and an Inspector were in a Nissan frontier van marked NPF409D, but the registration number of the police vehicle they were chasing could not be ascertained at the time of filing this report.

    While three of the policemen died on the spot, the Inspector passed on at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) where he was rushed to alongside the ASP.

    According to the command’s spokesman, Olarinde Famous-Cole, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), the driver of the unregistered lorry fled the scene as soon as the accident occurred.

    He said: “At about 1pm on Sunday, a team of Policemen attached to X Squad at the State Police Command while on surveillance and patrol duty along Isiwu road, Imota, Ikorodu were involved in a fatal motor accident leaving four police officers in the patrol truck dead.

    “The police van had five policemen on-board and was allegedly hit by an unregistered 911 tipper and the driver, who could not be identified at the time of this report, fled the scene.

    “It was disclosed that both vehicles were coming from opposite direction at a point near Isiwu town and they colluded, in the process three policemen died on the spot. As a result of that, traffic policemen were immediately dispatched to the scene. An ASP with an Inspector who sustained serious injuries were rushed to LASUTH, Ikeja, where the latter died and the former is currently admitted.

    “Meanwhile, corpses have been deposited at General hospital Ikorodu and LASUTH, Ikeja for autopsy. The police patrol truck and  lorry have been towed to the division.

    “Investigation is ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspect.

    The Lagos State Police Command mourns the death in active duty of its finest. The command would leave no stone unturned to bring justice to the lost souls.

    “We appeal to the public to come forward with any useful information that would lead to the arrest and prosecution of the fleeing suspect and urge Lagosians to be very cautious while driving on our roads.”

  • Police arrest 19 suspected kidnappers, recover arms, ammunition 

    Police arrest 19 suspected kidnappers, recover arms, ammunition 

    The Lagos State Police Command Wednesday said it arrested 19 suspected kidnappers last month and recovered 18 guns, 26 live ammunition, as well as 22 vehicles.

    Police Commissioner Fatai Owoseni stated this while briefing reporters on the activities of the command for the month of February.

    Fourteen of the 19 suspected kidnappers were arrested on Tuesday after their gang allegedly abducted two private guards at Adebayo Market in Bariga.

    It was gathered that gunmen numbering about 24 stormed the market and whisked away two of the private guards, whom they accused of being stumbling blocks to their gaining access to the premises.

    They were said to have whisked the victims to a place known as Ososa where two teams of policemen invaded and rescued them.

    According to Owoseni, the kidnap suspects were being shielded from the media because efforts were on to apprehend their accomplices.

    He said that they would be paraded and then charged to court at the conclusion of the investigation.

    Owoseni disclosed that out of 25 distress calls received by the police through the control room last month, 20 were successfully prevented.

    The police chief also commended his personnel for smashing interstate robbery syndicates, arresting suspects and rescuing victims.

    He said: “Police got 25 distress calls in February and through quick response, 20 were successfully prevented. Within the same period, 24 armed robbery suspects and 19 suspected kidnappers were arrested. Fourteen of the kidnappers were arrested yesterday (Tuesday) at Bariga.

    “Eight suspected cultists were arrested. A robbery suspect died in the course of battle with police.

    18 guns were recovered with 26 rounds of live ammunition, while 22 different cars were recovered from criminal elements.”

    According to Owoseni, a Toyota Highlander vehicle that was snatched from its owner in Ibadan was recovered, the victim rescued and three suspects apprehended, adding that the suspects and exhibits have been moved to Oyo State Command for further action.

    He debunked reports that one Tope died in the custody of the police at Lion Building on Monday, insisting that the only suspect who was arrested during the raid and found to be ill, was released to his parents.

    Owoseni stated that the suspect, Kayode Olasukunmi was found to be asthmatic and he was immediately handed over to his parents who took him home with them, adding that the young man was still alive.

    He said: “There was no person with the name Tope that was arrested during the raid in Lagos Island. Of the 187 persons arrested, one Kayode Olasukunmi was discovered to be ill during screening and he was taken to a hospital. His parents were contacted and they disclosed that he was asthmatic and that they usually used local methods to treat him. The young man was released to his parents. His parents are here to speak for themselves. The young man is still alive. No Tope was arrested during the raid and no one died inside Lion Building.

    “Also, the police did not use lethal weapon was used on the people. Instead, a policeman was injured in the course if the mayhem. The people who crowded Lion Building are beneficiaries of hooliganism and street fighting in the area, who were displeased that the suspects were charged to court.

    “Out of the 187 suspects arrested, 63 were released during screening because they have a credible means of livelihood. The remaining 124 were charged to court and 112 were convicted. The Magistrate freed 12 of them including the said pregnant woman after warning them seriously. Drugs and other substances were recovered from the suspects.”