Story by Iyiola Ayomide
arrests 52 suspects, recover 10 stolen vehicles
Lagos State Police Command has expressed its determination to increase its tactical teams from the current 35 teams to 57 to effectively provide security interventions across the state.
The state Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh disclosed this on Monday even as he added that the command arrested 56 suspects and recovered to exotic vehicles including SUVs as Range Rover, Toyota Highlander, Honda CR-V among others.
He said the tactical teams would be working to complement the Rapid Response Squad and Eko Strike Force.
“We shall be increasing the Tactical teams from the current 35 to 57,in order to orovide adequate security throughout the 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas.
“All these security units will work to complement one another in providing security for the residents of the state and businesses operating here which business worth runs into billions of naira and dollars.
He announced the recovery of 10 stolen vehicles and one motorcycle during various intelligence-led operations in November.
While talking about recovered vehicles, said some of the cars were stolen by those drivers newly employed by individuals and organizations, however some others were stolen from where they were parked.
He made mention of one of the SUVs stolen from the car park of a club, but he said his operatives were able to recover the vehicle.
He said, “The Command intensified surveillance, intelligence-led raids, and rapid tactical responses throughout the month, efforts that led to the recovery of 10 stolen vehicles, one motorcycle, and six firearms, alongside the arrest of multiple suspects linked to robbery, kidnapping, car-snatching, smuggling, and other violent crimes.
“These achievements are a testament to our sustained strategy aimed at dismantling criminal gangs, intercepting stolen property, removing illegal firearms from circulation, and strengthening public safety across Lagos State,” CP Jimoh said.
CP Olohundare Jimoh further explained that the state has enjoyed relative peace and stability, because there have been zero record of major crimes such as armed robbery, traffic robbery, kidnapping and cultism in the last few months, adding that domestic violence and other minor crimes have reduced to the barest minimum.
“This is not due to the effort of the police alone, we thank public spirited individuals, groups, and communities generally across the state for their support and the cooperation they have been extending to the Nigerian Police Force in ensuring that there is safety for all the visitors to the state,” he said.
CP Jimoh said security have equally been beefed up around schools, waterfronts, social and religious worship centres, allaying the fears of those who might be nursing of any security threats
He said, “The state is safe, the command is making a lot of significant progress on varying degrees of crime prevention based on the strategies that the command introduced.
“We have emplaced security measures to mitigate any security threats before, during and beyond the Yuletide celebrations. Apart from protection of lives and property, we have to protect the businesses.”
He appealed to Nigerians in Diaspora abroad who might wish to visit their loved ones back at homes not to entertain any fears, ad the state command has put in place watertight security ring around the state.
CP Jimoh confirmed that several suspects arrested over the course of the month are currently assisting with investigations. He said efforts are ongoing to identify additional accomplices linked to armed robbery and kidnapping syndicates, as well as to dismantle interstate and cross-border networks involved in vehicle-snatching.
According to him, police investigators are also verifying ownership of all recovered vehicles and the motorcycle to ensure proper return to rightful owners.
In addition, the Command is tracing the source of the fake US dollars recovered and probing the use of military camouflage and charms in facilitating criminal activities.
The following items were recovered:
1. White Toyota Hilux (KTU 940 JR) — traced after being hired and used to obtain property under false pretenses.
2. White Range Rover Short SUV — secured after the individual last seen with it could not be identified by the registered owner.
3. Black Toyota Land Cruiser — intercepted over the absence of valid customs documentation and suspected smuggling.