The police command in Lagos has arrested a man, Samson Onilewaji, 21, after he was found with body parts, firearms, and stolen items during a stop-and-search along the Lekki-Epe Expressway.

The command’s spokesperson, Abimbola Adebisi, said the suspect was intercepted in an unregistered commercial shuttle bus carrying six occupants.

She said a search of the vehicle and its occupants led to the recovery of a suspected human right hand, two locally made pistols, one live cartridge, two axes, a point-of-sale terminal, and five ATM cards from the suspect.

“During a search of the vehicle and its occupants, the suspect, identified as Samson Onilewaji, ‘M’, aged 21 years, was found in possession of a suspected human right hand, two locally made pistols, one live cartridge, two axes, one POS terminal machine, and five ATM cards,” the police command said in a statement on Friday, June 26.

Ms Adebisi said the suspect confessed after recently robbing three individuals of their personal belongings, including the recovered POS terminal and ATM cards.

She added that efforts were ongoing to identify and contact the victims to return their recovered belongings.

“Investigation is also ongoing to ascertain the identity of the owner of the recovered suspected human hand, the circumstances surrounding its possession, and its intended use,” the officer added.

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The Oyo State Police Command has debunked reports alleging that a pastor was arrested for supplying arms and ammunition to suspects involved in the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area.

In a statement issued on Saturday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, the command described the reports circulating on some media platforms and social media as false, misleading and unfounded.

According to the statement, a Facebook post alleged that a pastor had been arrested for acting as a gunrunner for the abductors, but failed to identify the cleric by name or address.

The police said no such arrest had been made by the command or any other security agency involved in the ongoing rescue operation.

The statement, “The attention of the Oyo State Police Command has been drawn to false and misleading reports circulating across some media outlets, online publications, and a Facebook post that has also surfaced on some other platform, alleging that a pastor was arrested for supplying arms and ammunition to individuals involved in the abduction of students and teachers in Orire.

“The Command wishes to categorically state that this claim is entirely false, misleading, and unfounded. The Facebook post, which did not mention the name or address of the pastor, further claimed that the cleric was a gun runner for the bandits. However, the Command wishes to state that no such arrest has been made by the Police or any other known security agency involved in the ongoing rescue operation, and investigation is ongoing.”

The command said it viewed the publication as a deliberate attempt to distract security operatives from ongoing rescue efforts and undermine public confidence in the security agencies.

“The Command views this publication as a deliberate attempt to distract security operatives from ongoing rescue efforts and to cast doubt on the integrity, commitment, and professionalism of personnel working tirelessly to ensure the safe return of the victims,” the statement added.

It urged members of the public to disregard the report and rely only on official updates issued through the verified communication channels of the Oyo State Police Command.

“Members of the public are therefore advised to disregard the false report and rely only on official updates issued through verified channels of the Oyo State Police Command,” it added.

The police also warned individuals and platforms spreading false information to desist, noting that anyone found culpable of disseminating misinformation capable of undermining public confidence or security operations would be investigated and prosecuted.

“Furthermore, individuals and platforms involved in the deliberate spread of false information are warned to desist, as the Command will not hesitate to invoke all lawful means to identify, investigate, arrest, and prosecute anyone found culpable of disseminating misinformation capable of undermining public confidence and ongoing security operations,” the statement added.

The command reaffirmed its commitment to securing the safe rescue of the abducted victims and maintaining public safety across the state.

The Oyo State Police Command remains committed to ensuring the safe rescue of the abducted victims and maintaining public safety across the State,” the statement added.

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The joint security operation between the Ogun and Lagos State Police Commands has rescued five kidnapped victims and neutralised four suspected kidnappers during a coordinated operation in Ogun.

The Commissioners of Police in Ogun and Lagos states, Mr Bode Ojajuni and Mr Fatai Tijani, disclosed this while briefing newsmen on Saturday at the Police Training School, Iperu.

Ojajuni said the five victims were rescued unhurt from a forest around Ogbere, along the J4 corridor of the Sagamu-Benin Expressway.

He explained that four suspected kidnappers were neutralised, while another four were arrested following a gun duel with security operatives.

The commissioner said the success of the operation was achieved through the directives of the Inspector-General of Police (I-GP), Mr Olatunji Disu and the commitment of officers involved.

He added that the Nigeria Police Force had inaugurated Operation “Kosaye” in Lagos and Ogun states to tackle criminal activities and reassure residents of adequate security.

According to him, the operation was formally launched on the directive of the I-G with the support of the governors of both states.

“Operation “Kosaye” means there is no space for criminals and criminality within Lagos and Ogun states.Africans & Diaspora

“The initiative aims to eliminate banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes across the two neighbouring states.

“It also targets criminal hideouts in forests and other ungoverned spaces used by suspected criminals,” he said.

Ojajuni said extensive operations had been conducted across several communities in both states, including Ogere, Ijebu-Ode, Ajebandele and the J4 corridor in Ogun.

He disclosed that 84 additional suspects were apprehended across Lagos and Ogun during the operation.

According to him, the police recovered AK-47 rifles, other assault weapons, locally made pistols, battle axes, ammunition, mobile phones and other exhibits linked to criminal activities.

The commissioner reaffirmed the police’s commitment to ensuring the safety of lives and property in both states.

He reiterated that the operation would continue and could eventually be extended to other parts of the country.

In his remarks, Tijani dismissed widespread rumours that bandits had infiltrated and taken over parts of Lagos and Ogun, saying ongoing security operations had proved such claims to be false.

He said the joint operation, initiated by the IGP, involved coordinated security sweeps across border communities, forests and other identified criminal hideouts stretching from Lagos into Ogun state.

According to him, the exercise has already yielded significant results, including the arrest of suspects, rescue of victims and recovery of weapons and other exhibits.

“Our personnel thoroughly combed forests and other identified locations, and the operation is not a one-off exercise. It will continue for as long as necessary to keep our communities safe,” he said.

Tijani said the IGP had directed commissioners of police in neighbouring states to collaborate closely in securing border corridors and dismantling criminal networks operating across state boundaries.

He commended the governors of Lagos and Ogun for providing the logistics and support that made the operation possible.

“The results speak for themselves. You have seen the rescued victims, the suspects arrested and the recoveries made. This is evidence that we are serious about securing our people,” he said.

He urged residents to remain calm and continue supporting the police with credible information, assuring them that the force remained committed to safeguarding lives and property.

Speaking with journalists after his rescue, one of the victims, Mr Jimoh Badamosi, 58, recounted his ordeal in the hands of the kidnappers and praised the police for securing their freedom.

Badamosi said he was travelling to Ibadan when armed men attacked motorists around the Ogbere Forest, shooting sporadically before forcing occupants out of their vehicles.

According to him, the gunmen collected their mobile phones, wallets and other valuables before marching five victims from three different vehicles into the forest.

He said the kidnappers later demanded ransom, asking his family to pay N40 million, while his colleague was asked to produce N30 million.

The victim said they had spent less than 24 hours in captivity when they suddenly heard gunshots, forcing the kidnappers to flee.

“We later heard the kidnappers saying the Nigeria Police had come. They ordered us to lie down, but when we heard police officers calling out, we crawled towards them and were rescued,” he said.

Badamosi commended the police and urged them not to relent in the fight against kidnapping.

He also appealed to the Federal Government to equip the police with more sophisticated weapons, establish additional security checkpoints and ensure forests are properly secured.

Other rescued victims also narrated their experiences and appreciated the police for the swift response that led to their rescue alive. (NAN)

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