The Lagos State command has busted different gangs of armed robbers ,who targeted and killed private commercial vehicle operators, Bolt ,Uber ,Lagride and others in the state
The police also recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition from the arrested suspects during the period under review .
Members of these gangs were reportedly responsible for the killings of private commercial vehicle operators in different parts of Lagos .
This is just as the Lagos State Commissioner of Police ,Olanrewaju Ishola revealed that the command prosecuted offenders for 2176 offences in the last quarter of 2024 and early 2025
The police boss ,who briefed the press on the achievements of the command within the period under review yesterday evening at command headquarters Ikeja, stated that three policemen lost their lives during the period under review .
Forty three suspects ,who were arrested for different criminal activities ,including : armed robbery ,cultism ,murder ,child abuse ,kidnapping ,illegal possession of fire arms and others .
Ishola told how gangs of suspects contacted Uber and other private commercial vehicle operators to rob them of their vehicles and kill them .
He said, ” On January 9, 2025,at about 12 am , a case of conspiracy, armed robbery and murder was reported.One Emeka Akwara, 19, David Segun,21, Samuel Ariori , 21, and Lukman Ariori,9,ordered the services of Uber at Chevron in the Lekki area – en-route Obalende.
‘ On getting to Obalende in a lonely area,at that point ,they robbed and killed the Uber driver by stabbing him multiple times in the neck .Unfortunately, they were unable to snatch the vehicle.
“With the intervention of good Nigerians within the environment ,two suspects were immediately arrested and were handed over to police operatives attached to Lion Building.
” Investigation further led to the arrest of other two fleeing suspects of the dangerous gang in Chevron area of Lagos.
” Also ,another Uber driver was killed in such a circumstance. We investigated and brought to book one Edmond Julius Abdoulaye and one Saturday Okey in connection with the crime.
“The Toyota Camry was recovered and handed over to the family. The case was charged to court but unfortunately, the driver was killed.
“Just two days ago, you see four young men blindfolded.The four of them flagged down a ride and killed the driver of the Uber.
” I would like to tell Lagosians, especially people involved in this Uber thing, Taxify, Lagide, and all these stuffs. Be wary of your passengers.
‘If it is possible, don’t carry more than one passenger at a time and insist such a fellow is searched and made him sit in the front with you. This is our advice.
” We are also, in the course of the month, going to summon all drivers in such activities to give them some security tips so that they will not be falling victim of these criminals .
“This is just the third of its kind reported or detected in three months. We don’t know how many that have happened. Such are the cases of brutalities around us now.
“Unfortunately, cases of murder through cultism and cult – related activities were on the increase.
” As a responsive force, we always arrest perpetrators. But we don’t believe in jungle justice here.
” On the 17th July 2024, at about 1700hrs one Awalu and Emmanuel, were brutally murdered at Ijora Badia by rival cult members .
“On the 15th October, 2024 upon intelligence , one Samuel Ojenuga ‘m’ aged 22yrs a member of Aye Confraternity was arrested.
“He confessed to killing of about 12 Eiye confraternity members at Orita School Ijora Oloye Area of Lagos.
“His accomplice one Abdullahi Yusuf in of same cult group also confessed to the killing of three persons named BIG Sam, Emmanuel and Okokobovbi ,at Railway Crossing n Ijora Badia Lagos.
” On the 27th of December, 2024 at 14 Idunsagbe street, Lagos Island, information was received that a bag was sighted on the rooftop at this address.
“Two AK 47 rifles breach number 52573, 4004855 and 07003-853 K2 assault rifle all without magazine and ammunition.”