The Nation Newspaper

Tag: RRS

  • RRS arrests suspected traffic robbers

    RRS arrests suspected traffic robbers

    Rapid Response Squad (RRS) operatives caught two persons for alleged traffic robbery in Ajah, Lagos at the weekend.

    Mustapha Odunayo, 22, and Adedayo Akinjola, 22, were said to be members of a gang which uses motorcycle to terrorise motorists on the Lekki-Ajah Expressway.

    They were arrested after they snatched a mobile phone from their victim and fled.

    While fleeing on their motorcycle, patrolling RRS bikers chased and caught them.

    According to the police, the suspects admitted that was not their first operations.

    Odunayo, identified as the gang leader, claimed that financial difficulties lured him into robbery.

    “We were three that left home in search of victims. On getting to Ajah opposite a shopping mall, where traffic is usually hectic, we sighted a woman in a car holding a phone.

    “Then, I alighted from the motorcycle while my two other members stood by on the motorcycle. I forcefully collected the phone from her, mounted the motorcycle and we zoomed off.

    “While on the run, we sighted the RRS men chasing us with brand new power-bike, later, they outran us but one of us disembarked and escaped with the stolen phone before we were arrested”, he said.

    Odunayo, who is from Ogun State, blamed his plight on lack of education.

    He claimed he came to Lagos some years ago and started working as a cart pusher, adding that his meagre proceed couldn’t sustain him.

    “That is why I chose to be robbing innocent members of the public with Okada for easy manoeuvring after operation,” he said.

    “Our first operation was carried out by the three of us in Ajah. We collected one Techno phone from our victim. It was sold to one Mallam Hassan by Adedayo, and I was given N2,500.

    “The second operation was not successful and the third one was this one that led to our arrest,” he said.

    Akinjola said he was an apprentice at an aluminium workshop before he took to traffic robbery.

    According to him, the motorcycle belongs to the escapee third suspect.

    Narrating how the hoodlums were arrested, the police said they were attracted  by the victim’s scream.

    “We were able to intercept the fleeing robbers when their victim, a young lady, screamed that her mobile phone had been snatched. Immediately, we gave the fleeing suspects a chase which led to the arrest of two of them while the third suspect later identified as Lekan made away with the stolen phone”

    Lagos State Command’s spokesman, Joseph Offor, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said efforts were on to arrest the third suspect.

  • RRS arrest two suspected traffic robbers

    RRS arrest two suspected traffic robbers

    Operatives of the Lagos State Rapid Response Squad (RRS) at the weekend nabbed to alleged traffic robbers in the Ajah area of the state.

    The suspects, Odunayo Mustapha, 22, and Adedayo Akinjola, 22, were said to be part of a gang which uses motorcycle to terrorise motorists along the Lekki -Ajah Expressway.

    The Nation gathered that they were arrested after they had snatched a mobile phone from their victim and fled.

    It was learnt that while they were fleeing on the motorcycle, RRS bikers on patrol pursued and caught them.

    According to police sources, the suspects admitted to have carried out to previous operations.

    Odunayo, identified as the gang leader, claimed that financial difficulties lured him into robbery.

    “We were three that left home in search of victims. On getting to Ajah opposite a shopping mall, where traffic is usually hectic, we sighted a woman in a car holding a phone.

    “Then, I alighted from the motorcycle while my two other members stood by on the motorcycle. I forcefully collected the phone from her and mounted the motorcycle, then we zoomed off.

    “While on the run, we sighted the RRS men chasing us with brand new power-bike, later, they outran us but one of us disembarked and escaped with the stolen phone before we were arrested,” he said.

    Continuing, Odunayo who claimed he was a native of Ogun State, blamed his predicament to lack of formal education.

    He claimed he came to Lagos some years ago to fend for himself and started working as a cart pusher, but the little proceed he realised from the job couldn’t sustain him.

    “That is why I chose to be robbing innocent members of the public with Okada for easy maneuvering after operation”, Odunayo revealed.

    “Our first operation was carried out by the three of us in Ajah. We collected one Techno phone from our victim. It was sold to one Mallam Hassan by Adedayo, and I was given N2,500.

    “The second operation was not successful and the third one was this one that led to our arrest”, he revealed.

    Adedayo, the second suspect said he was an apprentice at an Aluminium workshop before taking to traffic robbery.

    According to him, the motorcycle they used belong to the third suspect who fled.
    Narrating how the hoodlums were arrested, the police said their attention was draw by the victim’s scream.

    “We were able to intercept the fleeing robbers when their victim, a young lady, screamed that her mobile phone had been snatched. “Immediately, we gave the fleeing suspects a chase which led to the arrest of two of them while the third suspect later identified as Lekan made away with the stolen phone”

    Confirming the development, the state command’s spokesman, Joseph Offor, a DSP, said efforts are on to arrest the third suspect.

    He warned criminals to either repent or relocate from Lagos, adding that the command will not tolerate any format of lawlessness in the state henceforth.

  • RRS recovers 18 sacks of Indian-hemp from gang

    RRS recovers 18 sacks of Indian-hemp from gang

    A FOUR-MAN gang of narcotic specialists have been arrested in Lagos by men of the state crime-fighting outfit – the Rapid Response Squad (RRS).

    The suspects were arrested at the weekend by the RSS officials who acted on a tip-off.

    They were caught with 18  sacks of substance believed to be Indian-hemp.

    The gang had until now, been allegedly terrorising residents of Oyingbo-Otto and its environs.

    The RRS team, led by Inspector Adeniba Olorunshola, arrested the suspects after a two-week surveillance in the area.

    The operatives, during the special operation, apprehended, Quadri Jimoh, 23, Tajudeen Busari, 33, Ukowa Udomma, 34 and Yakubu Mudashiru, 30, while another suspect, identified as Olumide (aka Aroso), believed to be the  gang leader, escaped.

    Two of the suspects confessed that they were not the actual dealer but that they only smoke, identifying one Olumide, who is at large, as the dealer of the recovered substance.

    “I went there to buy Indian Hemp before I found myself inside the police net. As a fashion designer, I came to Lagos about two years ago to eke out a livelihood,” Udomma said.

    Mudashiru, whose house was reportedly razed by fire some years ago, confessed that he has been a regular patron to the house where the drugs were found.

    “I have nowhere to stay after my house was razed down by fire. Since then, I have been sleeping inside motor park at Oyingbo. Truly, I went there to smoke on the fateful day,” he said.

    Addressing reporters in his office, the RRS Commander, Olatunji Disu, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, (ACP), urged Lagos residents to always furnish the police with information.

    “With information from members of public, the work of the policemen will be easy. We cannot do it all alone as we rely much on the hints from the people”, Disu said.

    He said the manhunt for the drug kingpin would continue.

    The suspects have been transferred to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further interrogation.

     

  • RRS arrest 105 motorcycles,16 motorists for traffic offence

    RRS arrest 105 motorcycles,16 motorists for traffic offence

    Operatives of the Lagos State Rapid Response Squad (RRS) have impounded 105 motorcycles in  Mile 2, on Oshodi-Apapa Expressway in Lagos.

    The clampdown on motorcycles was as a result of the renewed “lawlessness” of its operatives, most of whom were said to be accomplices to criminals.

    It was learnt that 75 of the motorcycles were clamped on Monday, while 30 others were impounded Tuesday.

    Most of the motorcyclists who rode against traffic on the expressway, abandoned their cycles and fled on sighting thr RRS officials, it was learnt.

    Aside the motorcycles, the operatives also arrested 16 motorists who drove against traffic and impounded their vehicles.

    Two commercial buses that were driven against the traffic were impounded and driven to RRS office at Alausa with their passengers inside.

    The passengers were said to have been released after stern warning by the RRS boss, Tunji Disu, an ACP, who accused them of supporting their drivers to ply “one-way”.

    Confirming the arrest, Disu said the rate at which people flout traffic laws was alarming, warning that offenders will be prosecuted.

    He said: “They complain of traffic and traffic robbers and yet these situations are caused by sheer impatience of the motorists.

    “They drive one-way and block the entire road. Motorcycles that are not even supposed to be on the express have taken over the entire road

    “Most times, these traffic robbers easily escape on motorcycles after attacking their victims. People need to know that they will be arrested and prosecuted for violating traffic laws.

    “We will continue the raid because the state government and the Commissioner of Police are bent on containing crime and criminality in the state.”

     

     

  • RRS arrests 45 hoodlums

    RRS arrests 45 hoodlums

    Rapid Response Squad (RRS) operatives have arrested more than 45 hoodlums at some black spots in the city.

    RRS Commander Olatunji Disu, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), said the arrests followed raids on criminals’ hideouts. He said the onslaught on criminals would continue to secured the environment for prospective investors and protect lives and properties of the residents.

    Disu said the suspects were arrested in Oshodi, Jibowu, Victoria Island, Mile 2, Ajegunle, Ijora and Law school under Bridge.

    “The arrest will be continuous as Governor Akinwunmi Ambode is determined to rid the state of criminals and create an enabling environment for peaceful co-existence among residents and business owners,” he said.

    He assured that the increasing rate of armed robbery and criminal attacks in the state would soon be a thing of the past.

  • RRS, KAI arrest 109 for highway crossing

    RRS, KAI arrest 109 for highway crossing

    The Lagos State Police Command, in collaboration with the state-owned sanitation outfit – Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) brigade – arrested 109 people for crossing the highway at the weekend.

    Rapid Response Squad (RRS) Commander Tunji Disu, said the operation was carried out to ensure the use of the pedestrian bridges by residents.

    According to him, the enforcement will prevent loss of lives on highways and enhance traffic free-flow.

    Of the 109, Disu said 102 are men and seven women.

    According to Disu, the offenders were arrested for crossing the expressway at Ketu Bus-Stop along Lagos-Ikorodu Road on Friday and Saturday.

    He said: “The special operation was necessitated following increasing loss of lives on the highways.

    “This operation is a continuous one. We are saddled with the responsibility to instil discipline to preserve lives and property. This is why we can’t fold our arms while many lives are being lost for not using the pedestrian bridges. Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has said he wants a safer Lagos.

    “This act of indiscipline will not be allowed in the state any longer. If traffic is allowed to flow freely, the menace of in-traffic robbery cases will become a thing of the past,” he said.

    One of the motorists plying the route, Mrs Remi Fagboungbo, lauded the development.

    She urged the operatives not to relent in making sure people‘s attitude to the use of pedestrian bridge change.

    “The overhead bridge is built to protect our lives. I wonder why people refuse to climb it. In recent time, a commercial bus driver knocked down a young man on this highway when he wanted to cross. This exercise must continue because it will help a lot in reducing deaths on the highway and allow free-flow of traffic”, she said.

    Another commuter, Mr Alonge Ajasa, thanked the governor for acting on time to curb the act of indiscipline.

    “This is indeed the change we all need at this moment. This exercise will in turn be beneficial to the citizenry if it continues this way. Our governor has really done well to prevent loss of lives on our highways as well as to ease vehicular movements,” Ajasa said.

  • RRS arrest 31 suspected cult members in Lagos

    Personnel of the Lagos State Rapid Response Squad (RRS) have arrested 31 suspected members of the Awawa cult group.
    The suspects were arrested in the Agege area of the state following the unleashing of terror on innocent residents by the gang.
    ‎It was gathered that the hoodlums were nabbed at Talisco Hotel along Dopemu road; Bakare Ipiasha Street; Ile-Zik and Mangoro, all within Agege.
    ‎The Nation gathered that the RRS team followed a tip-off from a radio programme, which reported how the cultists were making lives uneasy for residents.
    Confirming the arrest, the RRS Commander, Tunji Disu, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) said those arrested included four under-aged.
    He said the under-aged were released after thorough interrogation on their mission at the point of arrest with the notorious group, adding that the remaining 27 would be charged to court.
    Disu said: “Upon intelligence report received through the popular Yoruba programme, which was further confirmed and authenticated by notable individuals living within the area, our men immediately bursted the areas mentioned on the programme and its environs with 15 RRS patrol vans.
    “31 suspects were apprehended including 4 under aged while others are still at large.
    “On arrival at the Task Force office, the under-aged gave satisfactory account of themselves and were released.”
    He warned parents and guardians to be watchful of their wards’ behaviours while they are still young, reiterating the commitment of the Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni to free Lagos of criminals and miscreants.

  • Our battle against criminals, by Lagos anti-robbery chief

    Our battle against criminals, by Lagos anti-robbery chief

    [dropcap]T[/dropcap]he commander of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Tunji Disu, has said armed robbers will be kicked out of Lagos State.

    ACP Disu said his men arrested over 181 suspects last month.

    He told The Nation at the weekend that the RRS did a crime mapping of the state and is better placed to curb armed robbery.

    He said: “When I was posted to head the RRS, we did crime mapping in line with the directives of the CP and located areas that are prone to crimes.

    “We identified Oshodi, Ikorodu, Ijora among others as areas where traffic robbers, bag snatchers as well as those who steal from children and in houses were rampant. So we decided to start with those areas with greater number.

    ”We raided under the bridges and other hideouts of the miscreants and in most cases, the suspects put up resistance.

    “We discovered that they post spies, including juveniles on ground who informed them of police arrival. At times we saw their spies playing cards.

    “We were able to arrest the 181 because of the commitment of my men. They have shown great understanding and have remained committed in our drive to ensure that Lagos is safe for residents and business.

    “Lagosians should not be afraid. They should go to sleep with their eyes close because the police would clamp down on criminals.

    ”But as you know, the police cannot do much without information that is why we are appealing to the general public to furnish us with useful information that will assist us serve them better.”

    Disu added that the suspects have been handed over to the relevant offices for further action.

    On what the RRS was doing in respect of incessant cult clashes in some areas of the state, Disu said the CP had issued a directive to all Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) and Area Commanders to fish out criminal elements obstructing public peace, adding that no stone would be left unturned in maintaining peace and security across the state.

     

  • Police to strengthen security in Lagos

    Police to strengthen security in Lagos

    To strengthen security in Lagos State, the Police will henceforth monitor vehicles and individuals coming into the state.

    Police operatives will also be positioned at strategic points and areas considered blackspots. Stop and search will also be carried out, the police said.

    This was contained in a statement yesterday by the Police Spokesperson Ngozi Braide, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP).

    The statement read: “ In view of the forthcoming Easter Festival and Lagos State Black Heritage Carnival, the Police Command has put in place adequate security measures to forestall hoodlums from perpetuating any sinister act during the period.

    “A contingent of strike forces and specialised units of the force which includes Police Mobile Force (PMF) Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU) Rapid

    Response Squad (RRS), Explosive Ordinance Division (EOD) and conventional men have been positioned in all points to monitor vehicles and individuals coming into the state and conduct stop and search. The State Intelligence Bureau (SIB) Operatives have also been deployed to all nooks and crannies for covert operation”.

    She said the Commissioner of Police, Umar Manko has since directed all Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers to supervise and monitor this intensive surveillance which will also pay serious attention to strategic places such as: worship centres,

    shopping malls, financial institutions, business plaza, markets,

    government installations, recreation centres, motor parks.

    Braide said Manko is also using this medium to wish Christians and all Lagosians a happy Easter and

    Black Heritage Carnival celebration.

    Mako also thanked citizens

    for their cooperation so far in crime fighting and encouraged them to always provide useful information that will assist the police in its war against criminals and all forms of criminality.

     

     

     

  • Lawmakers seek peaceful Xmas

    Lawmakers seek peaceful Xmas

    Lagos State House of Assembly yesterday urged Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola to direct appropriate security agencies, especially the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) to strengthen security around Lagos Mainland as a result of cult activities and to ensure security of lives and property during the Yuletide.

    The House, which was presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Kolawole Taiwo also resolved that the Commissioner of Police, Umar Manko, be invited to brief members on security challenges.

    The resolution followed a Matter of Urgent Public Importance raised by a member, Moshood Oshun (Mainland I), that cultism had gone haywire in the area.

    He said a man was allegedly butchered in Bariga area in broad day-light, adding that cultists in higher institutions around the Mainland had moved into surrounding communities to initiate miscreants into their fold, leading to killings and counter killings.