By Imisioluwa Afunmiso
The Lagos State Police Command has arrested 147 suspected criminals and recovered 250 expanded cartridges, 22 machetes and other dangerous items during a coordinated raid on criminal hideouts across parts of the state.
The operation, conducted under the ongoing Operation KO S’AYE III, targeted criminal hideouts at Boolar, Super Ile-Epo and other identified black spots in Lagos.
According to a statement issued on Monday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, the operation was carried out at about 5:30 a.m. on Sunday following credible intelligence.
The Command said a joint team of operatives drawn from different police formations stormed the locations to flush out hoodlums and other criminal elements allegedly terrorising residents.
Items recovered during the operation included 250 expanded cartridges, 22 machetes, five battle axes, two knives, one pair of scissors, one lighter, assorted charms and substances suspected to be Indian hemp.
The police said all 147 suspects are currently in custody, while investigations are ongoing to determine their individual involvement in criminal activities.
It added that suspects found culpable at the conclusion of investigations would be charged to court.
Commending the operatives for what he described as their professionalism and dedication, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Tijani Fatai, reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to sustaining Operation KO S’AYE III across the state.
He said the operation is designed to deny criminal elements safe havens, dismantle identified criminal hideouts and strengthen public safety across Lagos.
The Commissioner also appealed to residents to support ongoing security efforts by providing timely and credible information that could aid the police in identifying criminal hideouts and apprehending offenders.
He assured Lagos residents that the Command would continue intelligence-led operations aimed at maintaining law and order and protecting lives and property throughout the state.