LAGOS ‘OPERATION FLUSH’ FLUSHES OUT 39 CRIMINALS – CP OWOHUNWA; ASSURES LAGOSIANS OF SECURITY
By Oki Samson, Trek Africa Newspaper
The Commissioner of Police in Lagos, CP Idowu Owohunwa yesterday revealed the successes that the State Police Command has made since the inception of its crime-fighting ‘Operation Flush’ policing initiative on July 27, 2023. The operation was launched to tackle pockets of crime that were resurfacing in parts of Lagos State. National Association of Online Security News Publishers, NAOSNP also gathered that the operation is to support existing frameworks for battling violent crimes like robbery and cultism amongst other vices.
Speaking at a press briefing at the command headquarters, CP Owohunwa stated: ‘Today, we are proud to update Lagosians on the achievements the new operation has achieved under the meticulous stewardship of the Commissioner of Police, CP Idowu Owohunwa. Before you today we have a total of thirty-nine (39) suspects who have engaged in varying crimes including murder, armed robbery, stealing, cultism, vandalization etc. From all these cases which we successfully cracked, we recovered a total of six (6) arms, twenty-six (26) live ammunition, two expended ammunition, one (1) battle axe, four (4) vehicles, hard drugs, counterfeit currencies, wrist watches, phones, knife, aluminum rails, etc.’
The Lagos CP Idowu Owohunwa assured Lagosians that the command would continue to do everything operationally possible to ensure that crime and criminality is brought to the barest minimum in the State. NAOSNP can report that the summary of the cases included murderers arrested, conspiracies foiled, stealing, bridge vandalization, armed robbery, cultism, child stealing, among other crimes reported.
Further details showed the case of murderer arrested which deals with ‘Conspiracy and Murder of INSP Sunday Apochi, ‘m’ attached to the Zone 2, HQ Onikan, Lagos, reported by one Insp Simeon Ishaiah of the CP Tactical Team, attached to the Area ‘H’ Ogudu Lagos, against three (3) suspects namely: one Igboro Rasheed ‘m’ age 39 yrs, Rasak Adeleke ‘m’ 30 years and Moses Victor ‘m’ age 23 yrs all of Ijanikin, Lagos State. The fact of the case is that on 23/07/2023, at about 2030hrs, at the aforementioned address the suspects being members of the ‘AIYE’ Confraternity led by one Sulaimon Abass during a fight, shot the deceased with a locally made rifle and thereafter used a battle axe on him before he gave up the ghost. The case is still under investigation.’
Another is conspiracy, diversion of goods, stealing, and receiving stolen property which showed that ‘On 13th of March, 2023, One Emmanuel ‘m’, reported that sometime on 8th March, 2023, one Samson Olusegun ‘m’, a truck driver attached to the company was assigned to convey a 1/40ft container with Identity no. ACLU-9651677, loaded with 1,040 bags of blended solid milk “Powder Milk” worth about Sixty million naira (N60,000,000.00) from Apapa Tincan Wharf to FRIESLAND CAMPINA “WAMCO PLC” at 7B ACME Road, Ogba Industrial Estate Ikeja, Lagos. However, Samson Olusegun conspired with his cohorts and diverted the truck with the goods to Coker Bus Stop along Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, where Opeyemi Akinloye ‘m’, Jimoh Iyanu ‘m’ and others trans-loaded the goods to another truck, thereafter sold 491 bags of Powder Milk worth Thirty-six million, seven hundred thousand naira (N36,700,000.00) to one Hazimi Abdulakeem ‘f’ age 47yrs who resides at Iwagba area, Ogbomosho town, Oyo State. Meanwhile, four suspects namely Samson Olusegun ‘m’, Jimoh Iyanu ‘m’, Opeyemi Akinloye ‘m’ and Hazimi Abdulakeem ‘f’ have been arrested by operatives of Command. The sum of Six million, five hundred and fifty thousand naira (N6,550,000.00) was recovered from the suspects so far. The case still under investigation.’
The press briefing also revealed case of stealing ‘on 20th July, 2023 at about 1340hrs, a complaint was received that a company’s dispatch rider absconded with a parcel containing $45,000, money meant for Office use. Investigation led to the arrest of the suspect, One Philip Samson ‘m’ aged 40 years who had been in the employ of the company for thirteen years and recovery of the stolen money, at Anpka Area of Kogi State where he ran to. The suspect has been charged to court.’
A case of bridge vandalization and stealing was also reported. ‘On the 2nd of August 2023, at about 0220hrs, credible intelligence was received about an ongoing vandalization of aluminium rails on Iganmu bridge. Police Operatives from Iponri division swung into action and one Zarhanu Garba ‘m’ aged 39 and one Maikusa Mohammed ‘m’ aged 42 were arrested in the act. Five bridge aluminium rails were recovered from them. They will be charge to court for prosecution immediately after conclusion of investigation.’
Cases of unlawful possession of suspected counterfeit currency, unlawful possession of firearm, robbery, and cultism, ‘One Emmanuel of Trade-Fair Complex Lagos reported against one George Ebukeebuna ‘m’, 56 yrs, who specialized in counterfeiting currencies allegedly came to their office with wrapped parcel to be sent to Congo Kinshasa. After unwrapping the contents to ascertain the contents, it was discovered to be two-hundred and forty-five (245) fake $50 notes. Suspect has since confessed to the crime and will be arraigned soon. On 31st July, 2023 at about 1630hrs acting on complaints, police operatives swung into action to raid Ijora White-sand and environs. One Abass Oluwatosin ‘m’, Babatunde Daniel ‘m’ and Fagboun Idris ‘m’ were arrested. Three locally made guns, illicit drugs and a large quantity of substances suspected to be Indian hemp were also recovered from their hide out. Investigation reveals they have no fixed address while efforts are in place to arrest fleeing suspects. Suspects will be arraigned.’
On the case of Re-operation Flush, ‘On the 02nd of August 2023, at about 2130hrs, a joint operation was carried out by operatives of Isheri Division and Area H command to raid drug joints at Isheri north. Five (5) suspects were arrested. Several recoveries were made which include wraps of substance suspected to be Indian hemp, other illicit drugs such as codeine, Colorado, loud, etc. Investigation reveals that all the suspects have no fixed address and have been a threat to the community. Suspects will be charged to court for onward prosecution.’
Also, a case of conspiracy and armed robbery showed that ‘On the 8th July, 2023 at about 2300hrs, a lady who was going to Lagos Island from Ikotun booked a ride. She was picked at Governor’s road, Ikotun. On their way, the Uber driver pretended that he had a flat tyre, parked the car and alighted. Shortly, other members of his gang surfaced and took over the steering while the driver was made to sit at the back. The driver later brought out a knife and robbed the lady of her money and iPhone. Police operatives painstakingly embarked on investigation that led to the arrest of the Uber driver one Jeremiah Adeniran ‘m’ aged 29 at BRT market Ikotun while selling the robbed items. His operational Toyota Camry Saloon car and knife were recovered from him. Investigation reveals that the suspect and his gang have been robbing people of their valuables in this manner. Effort have been put in place to arrest other members of the gang and to recover more of their operational arms.’
The Nigeria Police, Lagos State Command also embarked on the destruction of illegal shanties and raid of criminal hideout in some parts of the state. ‘On 02nd August, 2023 at about 2030hrs, operatives of the Lagos State Command stormed Iganmu under bridge where criminals use as their hide out, robbing innocent commuters plying Iganmu overhead bridge. During the operation the hideouts were identified, destroyed, substance suspected to be Indian hemp, white powder suspected to be cocaine, 12 pieces of security belts 5 pieces of lanyards, other illicit drugs, 3 knives, 2 cutlasses, 6 speakers of different vehicles, 3 reflective jackets, 2 protective bridge pipes, 3 Samsung torchlights, a toy pistol and some phone accessories suspected to have been snatched on gun point were recovered, while five suspects were arrested. Suspects will be arraigned. Meanwhile, visibility patrol of the area has been emplaced.’
The Police also recovered firearms ‘on 27th July 2023 at about 1500hrs, Operatives of Area E command arrested one Fabian Ndubuisi ‘m’ aged 32 of Agbo Nnewi Ichi, Anambra State in possession of a Beretta Pistol with seven (7) ammunition during a stop and search Operations at Alakija Festac Area of Lagos. During interrogation he confessed that the pistol belongs to him and his gang member who escaped arrest in Enugu State. Investigation is in progress to arrest the fleeing suspect and other gang members.’
It also foiled cultism, stealing, armed robbery, burglary, and conspiracy at various dates. ‘On 21st July 2023, operatives of the Lagos State Command, upon credible intelligence gathered concerning the activities of some hoodlums terrorizing Ajegunle Apapa Lagos state, swung into action, and arrested one Samson Isaac ‘m’ aged 37 in connection with cult related activities. Preliminary investigation so far reveals the duo have been involved in robbery and cultist-related activities in those environs. Further investigation revealed the suspects to be members of Aiye confraternity cult group. Effort and strategies have been put in place to arrest his fleeing gang members and recover their weapons. On 7th July 2023, a complaint was received that some unknown persons stole his Toyota Camry saloon car and Tecno Camon 15 android smart phone at Ajao Estate area of Lagos State. Upon receipt of this complaint, operatives arrested one Wisdom Chudibem Iwoha ‘m’ 27, and Ebuka Duru ‘m’ aged 26 who are the receivers at Ilasamaja Area of Lagos while Gbenga Olamide ‘m’ aged 38, Olufemi Olanrewaju ‘m’ aged 40 and Christian Oramuru ‘m’ aged 31 were arrested at Lagos/Ogun toll gate. One Toyota Rav4 jeep, one Toyota camry saloon car and one Toyota corolla saloon car were recovered from them. Investigation is ongoing while effort is being intensified to apprehend the fleeing suspects. Operatives of the Lagos State Command, based on a complaint, arrested one Adeniyi Adeleke ‘m’ aged 29 aka Mosquito (gang leader), one Noah Olaniyi ‘m’ aged 26 and Olamilekan Osheneye ‘m’ aged 24 in connection with the invasion that took place at the complainant’s residence, where the suspects broke in and robbed the victim of his valuable items which includes gold wristwatches, Apple laptops, gold necklace and jewelries valued at Five million, Four Hundred Thousand Naira only (N5,400,000,.00k). The suspects confessed to the crime and other criminal activities within Lagos and environs. Investigation in progress to arrest other members of the gang. Operatives of Area K Command arrested One Dare Jimoh ‘m’ aged 28 with four live cartridges and was transferred to State Headquarters for discreet investigation. Further investigation led to the arrest of one Lasisi Taofeek ‘m’ aged 42 aka Agbara and Kareem Lukman ‘m’ aged 37 aka Irawo at Badagry area with one locally made single barrel pistol and one expended cartridge.
Investigation also revealed that the suspects are members of the dreaded Eiye confraternity terrorizing Badagry and its environs. Efforts are on top gear to conclude investigation and prosecute the suspects. On the 23rd July, 2023 at about 2200hrs, an information was received from a credible source that some cult members were hosting a party at Ojumola Street, Tolu, Ajegunle area of Lagos, shooting sporadically into the air thereby causing fear into the minds of the people living around. Police operatives swiftly mobilized to the scene, one Samuel Solomon ‘m’ age 28 and Ibrahim Mohammed ‘m’ aged 27 were arrested with a cut to size locally made gun and expended cartridges.
Investigation reveal suspects are members of Aiye confraternity, causing unrest in Tolu area of Lagos State and its environs. Effort are on ground to arrest other members and to recover more of their operational arms. On the 22nd June, 2023 at about 2300hrs a complaint was received that a Toyota Highlander SUV was robbed at gun point while he was coming from supermarket at Sangotedo Ajah for shopping. Thereafter, the robber drove the vehicle to a border town in Kwara State named Gure and handed it over to their criminal receiver. While arguing about the price, Police operatives on routine patrol arrested one Sulaimon Oluwaseun ‘m’ aged 35, one Emmanuel Nathaniel ‘m’ aged 23 and one Abdulrafiu Olamilekan ‘m’ aged 28, recovered the car and their operational arm.
During interrogation the suspects confessed to many other crimes committed by them, Efforts are ongoing to arrest their receivers and to recover more of the stolen vehicles. The suspects will be arraigned as soon as investigation is concluded. On the 24th June, 2023 at about 2000hrs a fisherman at Yaba waterfront woke in the morning and discovered that his boat engine had been stolen. Upon receipt of the complaint, Police operatives embarked on investigation that led to the arrest of one Felix Ylonfu ‘m’ aged 41 and Alpha Gerard ‘m’ aged 35.
Investigation revealed that the suspects specialized in stealing engines and selling same to their criminal receivers. Efforts ongoing to recover the stolen boat engine and to arrest their criminal receivers. The suspects will be arraigned as soon as investigation is concluded.’
A case of child stealing and domestic violence ‘reported by one Mariam ‘f’ against Musa Durowoju ‘m’ and Mulikatu ‘f’ still at large. The complainant alleged her husband of taking away their two children from her forcefully to an unknown destination. The two children are Nabeela ‘f’ 1 year 2 months old and Nodia ‘f’ 2 months old as at time of the incidence. The husband succeeded in carry out his plan of taking the children by luring her to an apartment he claimed to have rented for the family. The complainant further alleged assault against her husband and all efforts she made to recover her kids proved abortive. The case still under investigation.’
