Police in Lagos have arrested more than 30 suspected thieves at Oshodi-Oke in a clampdown on suspected traffic robbers.
The suspects were alleged to belong to criminal gangs who dispossess motorists of their valuables during rush hours.
The Lagos State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Mr. Olarinde Famous, said the suspects who specialize in dispossessing motorists of valuables were arrested on Friday evening during the closing hours of work.
“At about 5:45pm on Friday, November 10, the police received information of an attack on a motorist by a gang of four men.
“The four men all residents of Oshodi shared themselves into two groups whereby some distracted the motorists by engaging the driver while other members of the gang quietly dispossess the unsuspecting motorist.
“The victim, one Dare Adewale, was dispossessed of his Infinix mobile phone with the trick and took to their hills as passers-by raised alarm.
“Men of the Anti-Robbery Squad posted to Oshodi-Oke subsequently rushed to the scene and the gang members were arrested,” he said.
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He added that the suspects were immediately taken to the police station for preliminary investigation.
In a similar development, the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) operatives on the same day at 7pm also arrested 28 hoodlums who capitalized on the slow moving traffic caused by construction works at Oshodi to dispossess motorists of valuables.
According to the PPRO, the arrest was carried out through intelligence report and surveillance on the route during traffic.
“On November 10, 2017 at about 7pm at Oshodi area of Lagos State, SARS operatives arrested 28 hoodlums who attacked motorists in gridlock caused by the ongoing construction in that area.
“The arrest was done in the evening by operatives of special anti-robbery squad through intelligence report and surveillance of the area during traffic period.
“The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Ag. CP Edgal Imohimi is using this medium to inform members of the public who have been victims of traffic robbers in this area to kindly visit the State SARS office ikeja and help in identifying some of the arrested suspects.
“The suspects will be charged to court on Monday November 13,” he said.
Famous-Cole added that the CP had promised that the command would do all it takes to locate criminal hideouts and arrest more suspected traffic robbers.
This he said was to ease the free movement of Lagosians and ensure they feel safe to go about their daily activities especially as the yuletide period is fast approaching.
(NAN)