The police command in Lagos State has detained 39 suspects and recovered 14 locally made pistols, a double-barrel gun, ammunition and other dangerous weapons in various operations across the state in August.

The Commissioner of Police, Fatai Tijani, made the disclosure during a news conference at the command headquarters, Ikeja, on Thursday.

According to Mr Tijani, the arrests and recoveries were recorded through intelligence-led operations, stop-and-search exercises, surveillance patrols and responses to credible information.

He said the command also recovered vandalised iron materials and cables, a truck loaded with cartons of spaghetti, seven cutlasses, 16 knives, 13 bags of substances suspected to be Indian hemp, a POS machine, charms and a laptop.

The CP said one of the notable operations involved the arrest of 12 suspects, aged between 19 and 32, for vandalising the newly constructed Coastal Road.

“The suspects were arrested on August 17 with the vandalised iron materials,” he said.

In another operation, Mr Tijani said a 28-year-old man was arrested for alleged vandalism and theft of government-installed Closed-Circuit Television camera cables, iron materials and other infrastructure on the Third Mainland Bridge.

“The suspect confessed to have vandalised and carted away the cables and iron materials, which he sold to scavengers and scrap dealers for about N12,000 per kilogramme. Some quantity of copper wires was recovered from him, while efforts are ongoing to arrest his alleged accomplice and scrap dealers receiving the stolen materials,” he said.

The CP also disclosed the arrest of a 22-year-old suspected robber during a stop-and-search operation in Aguda area.

He said a substance suspected to be Indian hemp, a locally made pistol and a cartridge were found in the suspect’s possession.

The CP stated, “The suspect told investigators that the pistol belonged to his accomplice and led the operatives to a hotel they lodged. A double-barrel gun was also recovered from the room they occupied. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend him and other members of the suspected gang.’’

The CP further disclosed the arrest of a 35-year-old suspected cultist, popularly known as “Shifon,” in Aguda, Surulere, adding that a locally made pistol was recovered from his residence.

Mr Tijani also disclosed the arrest of two suspected cultists, aged 28 and 33, at a dumpsite in Isolo, where a locally made single-barrel pistol was recovered.

He said the suspects were helping investigators identify other members of the group.

In another operation, the command arrested a trailer driver, following an information that a trailer loaded with goods was parked in front of a church in Egbeda, with mini-trucks evacuating some of the goods.

Mr Tijani said an Acura SUV allegedly used by one of the fleeing suspects was recovered, while cartons of spaghetti were found in the trailer.

He added that intelligence-led follow-up resulted in the arrest of one of the fleeing suspects, while investigation was ongoing to establish the owners and destination of the goods.

The CP said the command also arrested three suspected cultists, aged 33, 38 and 42, following a distress call that about 50 people had gathered in Ijeshatedo.

“Intelligence indicated that the gathering involved suspected Eiye Confraternity members, who allegedly assembled to mark their annual celebration and initiate new members, two cutlasses and a battle axe were recovered” he said.

The CP further disclosed the arrest of two suspected armed robbers, aged 19 and 25, following an information that they were in possession of firearms and using them to rob residents.

Mr Tijani said two locally made pistols were recovered from the robbers.

He added that the operations formed part of the command’s sustained mop-up of illegal firearms and dangerous weapons.

He commended officers for their professionalism and dedication and also appreciated residents, community leaders, government agencies and other stakeholders for providing timely and credible information.

(NAN)