The Lagos State Police Command, on Sunday, carried out simultaneous raids on areas believed to be harbouring criminals and hoodlums, across the 14 area commands in the state.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a statement issued in Lagos, said that 720 suspects were arrested, with various weapons and substances suspected to be Indian hemp and cocaine.
“In its bid to solidify the security architecture of the state, the Lagos Command re-launched its anti-crime strategies to curb crimes and criminality across the state.
“In the swift operations, police operatives arrested 720 suspects with incriminating items; including locally-made guns; cartridges; charms; and substances suspected to be Indian hemp and cocaine.
“Also, some items suspected to have been looted from various shopping outlets within the state; during the recent #EndSARS violence were found within the suspected criminals,” he said.
Adejobi said that the Commissioner of Police in the state, Hakeem Odumosu, had earlier warned and directed police officers; and men to move against lawlessness and criminality in the state.
“Odumosu affirmed the zeal of the command to sustain the operations; even beyond the yuletide season.
“The police chief commended the officers and men of the command for the successful operations; while he urged them to be at alert for more operations across the state,” the police spokesman said.
Adejobi said that Odumosu had also directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of SCID, Panti; to commence discreet investigation on the arrested suspects for immediate prosecution.
“Odumosu urged those whose items were looted during the recent EndSARS violence to come up for claims of their items; with proof of ownership,” Adejobi said.
Meanwhile, the Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, on Sunday, November 15, revealed he would join other Nigerians towards supporting the #EndSARS agitations; saying he had been a victim of police brutality in the past.
This was as the Minister of Trade, Industry, and Investment, Chief Adeniyi Adebayo, assured Nigerians that President Muhammadu Buhari would listen; and implement all the demands made by the youth during the EndSARS protest.
The duo spoke during an interactive session held by stakeholders’ on the recent EndSARS protest that resonated panic across the country recently.
Governor Fayemi said the case of police brutality was one issue that affects every facet of the society; revealing that he was a victim in 2014 while seeking reelection.
According to the Governor, this happened during the 2014 electoral defeat to his predecessor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose.
