As part of ongoing efforts to combat crime and criminality in Lagos State, the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Agency (LNSA) has conducted a statewide raid of identified blackspots, criminal hideouts, and shanties across the metropolis, resulting in the arrest of 279 suspected criminals, hoodlums, and miscreants.
The suspects, comprising 274 males and five females from different parts of the country, were arrested for various offences including theft, public nuisance, and other criminal activities.
According to the LNSA, many of those apprehended had no means of identification and were unable to provide verifiable residential addresses during interrogation.
Speaking while parading the suspects at the agency’s headquarters in Bolade, Oshodi, the General Manager of the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Agency, Ifalade Oyekan, said the operation was carried out from late Sunday into Monday as part of the state government’s sustained efforts to rid Lagos of criminal elements and maintain law and order.
He explained that the exercise was intelligence-driven, relying on the agency’s network of community informants and operatives to identify blackspots and criminal hideouts across the state.
Oyekan also disclosed that two suspects were arrested while allegedly attempting to steal a submersible pumping machine from a residential apartment.
He added that several others were found in possession of dangerous weapons, including machetes and knives, as well as suspected illicit drugs and other prohibited items.
He further revealed that some of those arrested for public nuisance were individuals who allegedly entered Lagos in lorries and vehicles used for transporting livestock and goods into the state.
He stressed that while every Nigerian has the constitutional right to reside and move freely within any part of the country, Lagos State will not tolerate criminal activities capable of undermining peace and security.
“The exercise is in line with the mandate of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his Deputy Dr. Obafemi Hamzat to ensure that Lagos retains its position as the safest and most secure state in Nigeria despite its large and growing population. Through our intelligence network and collaboration with sister security agencies, we will continue to ensure that law-abiding residents feel the presence of government while criminals find no hiding place in Lagos,” he said.
Reiterating the agency’s commitment to public safety, Oyekan said the operation would be sustained and expanded in collaboration with relevant security and law enforcement agencies across the state.
He added that all the suspects had been transferred to the Lagos State Special Offences Mobile Court for further investigation and possible prosecution, warning criminals and individuals with unlawful intentions to stay away from Lagos or face the full weight of the law.