Police operatives from the Area M of the Lagos State Command at Idimu have busted a criminal hideout in Ijegun, popularly known as Boolar and arrested five suspects while others escaped during the operation.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the operation, which was supervised by the Area Commander, ACP Gbenga Adeoye, reportedly lasted for several hours and the Police were said to have dislodged the hoodlums before some of them escaped from the area.
The operation may have been in line with the directive of the Commissioner of Police, Adegoke Fayoade, to Commanders to step up surveillance and arrest criminals in some black spots across the State.
The suspects arrested during the operation included Jemilu Muhazu, 25, Sani Yaya, 25, Abubakar Aruna, 26, Aliyu Ibrahim, 19 and Sagir Mohammed Bello.
They were detained at the Command after their arrest for interrogation and during the routine search, they were found with substances suspected to be Indian hemp.
The Police found them culpable and consequently charged them before the Ejigbo Magistrate Court for their conduct by causing fear in the neighbourhood and being in possession of the substance suspected to be Indian hemp. The alleged offence under the Criminal Laws of the State attracts several years of imprisonment.
However, they pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Inspector Simeon Njue, asked the Court to give a date for hearing since they pleaded not guilty to enable the Police to prove that they actually committed the alleged offence.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. A.K. Dosumu-Uthman, granted them bail in the sum of N100,000 each with two sureties in like sum, who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment while addresses must be verified by the Court.
The matter was adjourned till 19th February, 2024, for mention while the defendants were remanded in custody at the correctional centre at Kirikiri town, Lagos, pending when they will perfect their bail conditions.