Operatives of the Lagos State Task
Force on Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences Unit have arrested
70 suspected criminals between Agege and Oshodi.
Among the lot, 26, who were arrested
at Agege, were alleged to be members of the dreaded Awawa cult gang.
The remaining 64 suspects, described
as miscreants by the police, were arrested at Oshodi.
This was even as the Agency
dislodged more than 1500 illegal traders and impounded 96 motorcycles for
plying restricted routes around Igando.
The motorcycles were impounded at
Isale-oja', 'Funmilayo', 'ile-pako at Amoo', 'Orile by canal', 'Papa-Ashafa',
'Dopemu' and 'Old Oko-oba' in Agege.
The taskforce Chairman, a Chief
Superintendent of Police (CSP), Mr Olayinka Egbeyemi, said that 26 dreaded
'Awawa' cult gang were arrested during an over-night enforcement operations
tagged 'Operation Restore Sanity to Lagos' which was carried out around
'Isale-oja.'
According to him: “Criminal
activities perpetuated by these various cult groups particularly the dreaded
'Awawa' cult gang has constituted a serious threat to lives of
residents and innocent members of the public around the area. It was an
eye-sore seeing these miscreants and cultists robbing, raping and freely
smoking Indian hemp with under age boys and girls during day time and at night.”
Egbeyemi, who disclosed that the 64
miscreants were arrested during an overnight raid around Oshodi, said: “Dangerous
weapons and substances suspected to be Indian hemp were recovered from these 64
miscreants, including three female teenagers. These miscreants and hoodlums
were those attacking and breaking motorists’ windscreen and disturbing innocent
members of the public by dispossessing them of their valuables such as phones,
wallets and jewelry around Oshodi and other places.”
He further said: “It is
disheartening that most parents have abdicated their responsibility towards
their children as youths are now found to be deeply involved in gangsterism. Honestly,
most of the violent crimes committed across the state are perpetrated by youths
who lack parental care and joined cultism to avoid being intimidated by their
peers. 'Operation Restore Sanity to Lagos' would be a continuous exercise and
extended to every other area known to be inhabited by these undesirable
elements across the state.”
The Lagos State Commissioner of
Police, Zubairu Muazu, has, however, directed that all those arrested be
charged to court for prosecution.
On the dislodged 1500 illegal
traders and impounded 96 motorcycles, the task force boss said that they
were plying restricted routes around Igando.
He explained that they were
dislodged to pave ways for free flow of traffic as there were serious
complaints by residents and motorists about the newly constructed roads being
taken over by activities of these illegal traders.
"Strategically, this unusual
and very risky trading practice has led to the death of some traders especially
those who were not quick enough to depart the scene of reckless drivers,” said
Egbeyemi.
Egbeyemi maintained that in
accordance with the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Laws, it was
completely unlawful for anyone to hawk, buy or sell goods on railway
tracks, road-setbacks, walk-ways and drainage alignment across the state.
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