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Police arrest 18-year-old kidnap suspect during attempt to collect N20m ransom in Lagos

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The Lagos state police command says it arrested 47 suspects in operations across the state, including an 18-year-old apprehended while attempting to collect a N20 million ransom.

Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai, disclosed this on Tuesday during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters in Ikeja, during which items recovered from various crime scenes were displayed.

He said the arrests were linked to offences such as armed robbery, cultism, conspiracy, stealing, threat to life, and unlawful possession of firearms.

Fatai added that the Command recorded a hitch-free Easter celebration with no major security breach, attributing the development to proactive deployment of personnel and collaboration with other security agencies and residents.

According to him, exhibits recovered during the operations include 14 firearms—comprising 10 locally made guns and four pump-action rifles—96 rounds of 5.2mm ammunition, 29 live cartridges and one expended cartridge, 14 vehicles, two laptops, 29 mobile phones, and a flash drive.

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Providing details on the 18-year-old suspect, Fatai said the teenager, identified as Israel Osanwuta, was arrested on March 27 during a decoy operation following a complaint from Ojokoro Local Council Development Area over a threat to life and a demand for N20 million ransom.

“He was apprehended at about 10:55 pm while attempting to collect the ransom. Recovered from him were an HP laptop and a flash drive. The suspect has confessed to the crime and admitted involvement in a previous attempted burglary at a commercial bank,” the CP said.

In another operation, police arrested a suspected armed robber, Jamiu Yahaya, also known as “Elesin,” in Amukoko. A locally made pistol, two live cartridges, and charms were recovered from him.

A 23-year-old suspected cultist, Sunday Daniel, was also arrested in Ajegunle, with a locally made pistol recovered. The suspect allegedly confessed to being a member of the Aiye confraternity.

Fatai further said 21 suspected cultists were apprehended at a hotel in Ajao Estate during a birthday gathering for a wanted gang member known as “Actor,” who is currently at large. Recovered items include a cut-to-size gun, cult-branded items, a laptop, and 23 mobile phones.

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The Commissioner also disclosed the arrest of five members of a car theft syndicate, with a Toyota Sienna and Toyota Camry recovered, as well as three suspects involved in vehicle vandalisation.

He said a 52-year-old suspect, Adedayo Bello, was arrested for allegedly concealing a firearm and ammunition inside a pillow, with 96 rounds of ammunition recovered.

Fatai added that three suspects linked to the vandalisation of vehicles in a Lekki estate were arrested, while four others were nabbed in connection with armed robbery in Ikotun and Egbeda.

He also announced the arrest of a 62-year-old alleged serial fraudster, Robert Smith, accused of defrauding a microfinance bank of N130 million. Six vehicles valued at over N520 million were recovered from him.

Other arrests were made in Iba, Egbin, Ogba, and Ifako-Ijaiye, where suspected robbers and cultists were apprehended, alongside the recovery of illicit drugs and additional firearms.

Fatai said all suspects would be charged in court after investigations

He reiterated the Command’s commitment to sustaining the fight against crime and urged the public to remain vigilant and continue to provide credible information to the police.

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Woman jumps into Lagos lagoon, rescued by boat operators

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A yet-to-be-identified woman has been rescued after reportedly jumping into the lagoon from the Idumota end of the Carter Bridge in Lagos state.

The incident, which reportedly drew the attention of passersby and local boat operators, occurred on Tuesday afternoon.

According to eyewitnesses, nearby boat operators responded and brought the woman back to safety.

video circulating on social media showed the woman, seated in a rescue boat shortly after she was brought out of the water.

The footage, shared on X by a user identified as CHUKS, also showed people gathered on the bridge expressing concern about the woman’s condition.

Some bystanders could be heard appealing to the boat operators to ensure that she received appropriate care.

The circumstances surrounding the incident were unclear as of the time of filing this report.

Authorities had yet to issue an official statement on the incident or confirm the woman’s identity and condition.

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Police seize truck-load of fake drug warehouses in Lagos, arrest two

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The Lagos State Police Command says its operatives have uncovered two warehouses allegedly used for repackaging counterfeit pharmaceutical products and arrested two suspected members of a syndicate involved in the interstate and cross-border distribution of fake drugs.

Fatai Tijani, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command,  disclosed this on Monday while briefing newsmen at the command’s Violent Crime Response Unit in the Ijora Olopa area of the state.

The suspects, identified as Eze Okwudilichukwu, 52, and Chukwudi Mba, 42, were arrested during an intelligence-led operation by detectives attached to the unit.

The police boss said the suspects were apprehended at a warehouse located at Number 7A Otto Causeway, Otto, Lagos, where they were allegedly repackaging suspected adulterated pharmaceutical products for distribution to various parts of Nigeria.

He said the operation followed credible intelligence on the activities of the syndicate.

According to the police commissioner, “The suspects, Eze Okwudilichukwu ‘m’ 52 years, and Chukwudi Mba ‘m’ 42 years, were arrested at their warehouse located at No. 7A Otto Causeway, Otto, Lagos, where they were found repackaging suspected adulterated pharmaceutical products for distribution to different parts of Nigeria.

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“Following their arrest and interrogation, the suspects led detectives to another warehouse, where a duly executed search warrant was carried out. During the search, a truck loaded with large quantities of suspected adulterated pharmaceutical products, bearing registration number KFR 241 XA (Katsina), was recovered alongside other exhibits.”

The police boss said items recovered during the operation included about 300 cartons of suspected adulterated Omeprazole; six bags containing unpackaged suspected adulterated Viagra, Ampiclox, Septrin, Piriton, and other pharmaceutical products; and about 10 cartons of suspected adulterated Ampiclox, Viagra, and other drugs.

The CP noted that more than 300 empty printed packs and cartons were used to repackage counterfeit medicines.

According to him, preliminary investigations revealed that the syndicate had been involved in the repackaging and distribution of suspected adulterated drugs for over two years.

He added that detectives uncovered evidence suggesting that the products were supplied to different parts of Nigeria, while large consignments were also destined for Lomé, Togo, indicating the existence of a transnational distribution network.

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“The investigation also suggests that the suspected adulterated drugs are being manufactured somewhere within Lagos State.

“While the production facility has not yet been located, detectives have intensified efforts to identify and dismantle the factory, arrest all those connected with the operation, and bring them to justice,” Fatai said.

The commissioner also alleged that attempts were made to compromise the investigation after the suspects were arrested.

“It is pertinent to state that since the arrest of the suspects, desperate attempts have been made through different channels to induce officers of the Violent Crime Response Unit to release both the suspects and the recovered exhibits.

“I wish to categorically state that these attempts were firmly resisted. The Lagos State Police Command remains committed to professionalism, integrity, and the rule of law, and no amount of pressure or inducement will derail the course of justice,” he added.

Tijani said the suspects, recovered exhibits, and case file had been handed over to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control for further investigation and possible prosecution.

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He explained that the handover was necessary because the case falls within the regulatory mandate of the agency.

The CP commended operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit for what he described as a professional and intelligence-driven operation while urging members of the public to provide useful information on the manufacture and distribution of counterfeit pharmaceutical products and other criminal activities.

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NDLEA uncovers cocaine hidden in wooden mortar, backpack bound for China, Italy

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says its operatives have uncovered fresh attempts by drug syndicates to export cocaine concealed inside a traditional wooden mortar and a specially modified backpack destined for China and Italy.

This was contained in a statement released by Femi Babafemi, the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, and shared on X on Sunday.

According to Babafemi, one of the consignments involved cocaine concealed inside a traditional wooden mortar, a local tool commonly used for pounding yam and grains, which was being shipped to China.

The agency added that another cocaine shipment destined for Italy was discovered concealed in the false bottom of a backpack hidden among lace materials.

He wrote, “Mortar is a traditional local wooden tool commonly used for pounding yams or grains but was used to conceal cocaine consignment heading to China in one of the latest seizures by #ndlea_nigeria officers who also discovered another shipment of cocaine going to Italy in the false bottom of a backpack hidden in lace materials.

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“Beware of every parcel you’re given to deliver. Remember the key word for liability is possession!”

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