Police Arrests 14 After Raid Of Criminals’ Hideouts In Victoria Island, Lagos

PAUL IYOGHOJIE

The Divisional Police Officer, DPO in charge of Bar Beach Division, Victoria Island, Lagos, CSP Olusegun Ajamolaya has led his men to raid suspected criminals’ hideouts in Victoria Island, Lagos and its environs.

Areas raided by the DPO and his men include Muri Okunola Gardens, Walter Carrington Crescent, Law School Under The Bridge and Kuramo Junction.

Police source told our correspondent that at the end of the operation which started from 2.30 am and lasted till 4.00am, the Police were able to arrest 14 suspected criminals, while others managed to escape.

The source said that the DPO swung into action following series of complaints by residents, road users and fun seekers that some suspected criminals were attacking them and making life miserable for them on their way home at night and early hours of the day in recent times.

Police identified the arrested suspects as Ismaila Yusuf, 33; Abubakar Lawal, 35; Bashiru Abdullahi, 32; Mustapha Memuda, 19 and Mahrezu Abdulahi, 26.

Others included Musa Zinadu, 28; Lawal Hassan, 29; Mutiu Alani, 29; Lawrence Omoria, 29 and Lucky Philemon, 20.

The rest are Jerry Reuben, 19; Olamide Ogunlana, 33 and Sheriff Oladite.

During investigations, the arrested suspects could not give satisfactory accounts of their mission at the places of their arrest at such odds hours.

After investigation by Sgt Ganiyu Adekunle and his team, all the suspects were arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrates Court, Lagos on one-count charge of felony to wit conduct likely to cause breach of public peace and disturbing the peace of residents of Victoria Island and other road users.

Police Counsel, Mishozunnu Samuel informed the Court in charge No S/19/2018 that the offence the accused persons committed was punishable under section 168(d) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State,2015.

While five of the accused pleaded guilty to the alleged crime in the open Court, nine others pleaded not guilty and Magistrate, Y.O Aro-Lambo granted them bail in the sum of N5,000 each with one surety each in like sum.

Aro-Lambo adjourned the case till Thursday 22 March, 2018 for mention and for facts and sentencing of the guilty.

He ordered all the accused be remanded at Ikoyi Prison till the adjourned date.