Hyacinth Chinweuba
The Lagos State Police Command, has raided some criminal hideouts within FESTAC axis.
The raid which was an intelligence-driven one was designed to proactively deal with some emerging security threats, including lawlessness amongst Okada riders and other hoodlums within the State.
DSP Patricia Amadin, Police Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Police Command said the joint raid which is still on-going has so far led to the arrests of twenty (20) male suspects and the seizure of seventy-two (72) motorcycles.
The command assured that the exercise will continue until the set objectives are achieved.
Meanwhile, the Police in Lagos, has foiled an attempt by a well-organized criminal syndicate to divert and steal a fully loaded MACK Trailer with Reg No. BDG 524 XH containing 600 bags of rice.
The trailer had earlier loaded and departed from Wharf-Apapa and was heading to its final destination at a warehouse in Agboju area, when suddenly the driver, currently at large, working in collaboration with other criminal elements diverted the trailer to Mile Two Estate.
Whilst the gang members were busy off-loading the several hundreds of bags of rice, Police operatives from Area’ E’ Command, Festac Town acting on a tip-off, swooped on them, arresting the suspects and recovering the trailer and its contents to Area E Command Office.
While expressing concern over increasing cases of diversion of Trailers and containers from Nigerian Ports, the command advised transport and haulage companies to strengthen internal checks and controls within their companies to reduce the rate of collusion between their staff and external criminals.
The command commended the personnel of the FESTAC Area Command for the timely intervention that led to the arrest of the suspects and the recovery of the diverted trailer.
Meanwhile, the recovered MACK Trailer and the 600bags of rice have been released to the owners H. Safieddine Transport Company Ltd, by the Area Commander, ACP Frank Mba, while the principal suspect Babatunde Omoh ‘m’ and others will be charged to court without delay.