Police Arrest 33 For Jungle Justice In Lagos
The Lagos State Police Command said on Monday 33 suspects have been arrested in connection with jungle justice.
The state Police Commissioner, Fatai Owoseni, stated this while briefing journalists on the activities of the command in the last three weeks.
Warning residents against mob justice, Owoseni said security forces would not hesitate to arrest, prosecute anyone who wants to turn the state into Banana Republic.
According to him, there was no justification for residents to mete out any form of punishment on any suspect without recourse to the rule of law.
He said: “On August 8, a distress call was received at Ijaiye Ojokoro
Police Station that some people suspected to be ritualists/kidnappers
were seen hiding in a canal at Obadeyi Bus Stop, along Lagos/Abeokuta
Expressway.
“The DPO led a team of policemen to the spot and on getting there, they met a large violent crowd trying to lynch the so called suspects. As the policemen were trying to rescue the alleged suspects, the crowd descended on them, beating and throwing stones at them. In the process, properties were vandalised and 33 suspects were picked up at the scene.
“Police would see to complaints on non responsiveness of emergency numbers. We would not fold our arms and watch Lagos turn to a lawless state. Every one arrested for jungle justice would be charged to court.”
He said the command also arrested 24 armed robbery suspects and 15 cultists within the period under review, adding that 15 arms, 10 ammunition and 16 stolen vehicles were recovered.
Owoseni said six policemen were arrested for extortion, attempted murder and defilement, adding that they would be prosecuted.
Those arrested for extortion and armed robbery are – Sergeants Benjamin Oboh, Onyenedu Kennedy and Monday Ekhigato.
One Sergeant Sylvanus Emeche was nabbed for attempted murder after
shooting a woman, Mrs. Oluchi Okafor and her children on July 24, at
Ajao Estate.
The state Police Commissioner, Fatai Owoseni, stated this while briefing journalists on the activities of the command in the last three weeks.
Warning residents against mob justice, Owoseni said security forces would not hesitate to arrest, prosecute anyone who wants to turn the state into Banana Republic.
According to him, there was no justification for residents to mete out any form of punishment on any suspect without recourse to the rule of law.
“The DPO led a team of policemen to the spot and on getting there, they met a large violent crowd trying to lynch the so called suspects. As the policemen were trying to rescue the alleged suspects, the crowd descended on them, beating and throwing stones at them. In the process, properties were vandalised and 33 suspects were picked up at the scene.
“Police would see to complaints on non responsiveness of emergency numbers. We would not fold our arms and watch Lagos turn to a lawless state. Every one arrested for jungle justice would be charged to court.”
He said the command also arrested 24 armed robbery suspects and 15 cultists within the period under review, adding that 15 arms, 10 ammunition and 16 stolen vehicles were recovered.
Owoseni said six policemen were arrested for extortion, attempted murder and defilement, adding that they would be prosecuted.
Those arrested for extortion and armed robbery are – Sergeants Benjamin Oboh, Onyenedu Kennedy and Monday Ekhigato.
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