Odumosu: How we arrested hoodlums who high jacked, burnt two police stations

 Juliana Francis

Odumosu

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Hakeem Odumosu, has revealed how his men arrested at least 19 persons for burning Ebute-Ero and Elemoro Police stations in the megacity metropolis.

He stated that 18 people were arrested in connection with burning Ebute-Ero Police Station, while one person so far has been held for burning Elemoro Police station. He added that the hunt continues.

According to the CP, at least two AK47 rifles, one cut to size double barrel gun, 131 7.65mm ammunition, 59 unexpended cartridges and eight revolver pistol ammunition.

Odumosu said: “On October 21, some hoodlums, who hijacked the Endsars protest in Lagos State, besieged Ebute-Ero Police Station, looted the armoury and stole assorted arms and ammunition before setting the entire station ablaze. On receiving the message, operatives from the Command Headquarters Ikeja, and Ebute-Ero Police Station, jointly mobilized to closely monitor the area, with the aim of arresting the hoodlum who perpetrated the act. On November 31, one of the suspects, Taofeek Lawal was arrested in connection with the crime.”

 

It was also gathered that during the interrogation, Lawal confessed to the crime and led the operatives to their hideout at Pepsi Igbehinadun, Gorodom area of Lagos Island, where 17 other gang members were arrested.

“Items recovered from them are two AK47 rifles, one cut to size double barrel gun, 131 7.65mm ammunition, 59 unexpended cartridges and eight revolver pistol ammunition all looted and stolen from Ebute-Ero Police Station before they set it on fire. The suspects have made mention of other hoodlums at large and are assisting the operatives to arrest them,” said Odumosu.

 

Similarly, the command also arrested 28-year-old Sunday Mustapha for allegedly being part of those that burnt Elemoro Police stations and also being in possession of firearms.

Police said that it recovered one cut to size double barrel gun, one cut to size single barrel gun and one unexpended cartridge.

Speaking on the case, Odumosu said that on November 29, police received credible information that some hoodlums who participated in the burning of Elemoro Police Station and looting of the armoury were sighted at Imeletelafia, Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos. He said that police raced to the scene in an attempt to arrest the suspects.

He added: “On sighting the operatives, the hoodlums scampered to different directions to avoid arrest but were chased. In the process, one of the hoodlums was arrested and he later gave his name as Sunday Mustapha. Items recovered from him are one cut to size locally made double barrel gun with one unexpended cartridge and one cut to size single barrel gun. It was revealed that the suspect bought the gun at Ilaje in Ondo State at the rate of N58,000.00 for cult activities. The suspect is a renowned member of Aiye Confraternity. He is assisting the operatives in the arrest of his members at large.”