Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
Police have arrested three suspected members of an armed robbery and carjacking syndicate operating around Alakuko, Lagos State, with locally made firearms and ammunition recovered from them.
The suspects were identified as Faruk Rasheed, 20; Olamilekan Ademola, 28; and Abidemi Oluwawemo, 21. They were arrested following what police described as credible intelligence.
Police spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebesi, disclosed the arrests in a statement on Thursday, saying the operation formed part of ongoing efforts to tackle carjacking, armed robbery and other violent crimes in Lagos.
According to the police, preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects allegedly specialised in stealing vehicles and dispossessing residents of their valuables.
The statement said a search conducted after the arrests led to the recovery of three locally made firearms and eight rounds of live ammunition.
It stated, “Two locally made pistols loaded with five cartridges and one locally made revolver pistol loaded with three rounds of 9mm live ammunition” were recovered.
The suspects remain in police custody while operatives continue efforts to identify and arrest other alleged members of the syndicate.
Police did not disclose specific robbery or carjacking incidents allegedly linked to the suspects, the number of vehicles reportedly stolen or the identities of any alleged victims.
It was also unclear at the time of filing the report when the suspects were arrested or whether they had been charged to court.
The suspects have not publicly responded to the allegations against them.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai, reaffirmed the command’s determination to dismantle criminal networks and improve security for residents across Lagos.
Fatai said the command remained committed to “dismantling criminal networks and ensuring the safety and security of residents across Lagos State.”
He urged residents to promptly report emergencies and suspicious activities through the appropriate police emergency channels.
