The Nigeria Police Force Zone 2 Command in Onikan, Lagos, has detained 23 people for different alleged crimes, including robbery and pharmaceutical medication adulteration.
SP Umman Ayuba, the Zonal Command’s Public Relations Officer (ZPRO), said this on Thursday at a news briefing in Lagos.
Ayuba stated that the zone, led by the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Olatoye Durosinmi, has achieved significant progress in the fight against crime and criminality.
She stated that the arrestees were 21 men and two women.
According to the spokesman, one of the individuals apprehended was an ex-convict, Samson Sesan, the main suspect and head of a robbery ring engaged in multiple robberies in the Abeokuta area of Ogun State.
Ayuba said that Sesan was arrested on June 1 by operatives of the Zonal Dragon Squad.
“Sesan was arrested, and while conducting a search at his apartment, one locally made double barrel pistol, one locally made single barrel pistol, and 10 live cartridges were recovered.
“Upon interrogation, other suspects were arrested and more exhibits recovered, ” she said.
Ayuba said that a young lady, who allegedly conspired with her boyfriend to fake her kidnap and demanded N5 million ransom, was also arrested along with some of her accomplices.
“A case of kidnapping was reported to the office of the AIG by one Jona Jumai that sometime in the month of May 2024, her sister, who works as a domestic staff in Ajah Area of Lagos, went missing.
“A few days later, family members were told via a mysterious phone number that the missing lady had been abducted and was in the possession of the kidnappers, who demanded a N5 million ransom to be paid into a specified account.
“Suspects were trailed and arrested in their hideout in Ikorodu Area of Lagos by operatives of the Zonal Anti-Piracy Unit led by SP Mariam Ogunmolasuyi,” said a police official.
Ayuba went on to say that the inquiry found that the supposed kidnap victim, her boyfriend, and her cousin arranged the kidnapping to extort money from her job and family.
Speaking further, she said that another suspect was arrested for allegedly stealing jewelry worth more than N40 million.
“The suspect, who is a domestic staff (Chef) at the time, was alleged of breaking and stealing jewelry and other valuables worth more than N40 million in a petition received from Dr. Ademola Oyewusi ‘m’ sometime in August 2023.
“The suspect was arrested somewhere in Makurdi, Benue State, through a technology-driven investigation by SP Mariam Ogunmolasuyi and team.
“He confessed to having sold the stolen items to one Mutairu Yakubu ‘m’ for a sum of N7.4 million before he absconded to his hometown in Cross River”, she said.
Ayuba also said that two suspects were arrested for alleged production of adulterated cough syrups.
“A petition filed by one Walter Anyaoha, the Managing Director of Wihyaland Pharmaceuticals, alleged that his trainee Chisom Ndukwu, who has been living with him, suddenly left the house to an unknown place.
“When he checked his shop he realised that four cartons of JVI drug valued at N9.6 million were also missing in the shop.
“Investigation into the allegation by CSP Omotayo Adegbite O/C Zonal Anti-Crime Unit led to the arrest of the suspect in company of his accomplice who is into production of adulterated cough syrups.
“When a search was conducted in the houses and premises of the suspects, bags containing packs with inscription of DSP codiene cough syrups and empty bottles and covers of cough syrups were recovered.
According to her, the suspects admitted to the crime.
Ayuba said items recovered from the suspects included five cars, firearms, foodstuff and some dangerous weapons.
“Exhibits recovered include one locally made double barrel pistol, one locally made single barrel pistol, 10 round of live cartridges, one unregistered Toyota Corolla, one unregistered Mazda 626.
“Others are a Mazda 323 with foreign number plate KJ 52 AYA, one Nissan Primera car with registration number JBD 386 XC, one Mazda 626 with registration number LSR 05 GG, four bags of Garri, five iron bars, one chisel, one sledge hammer, one iron bending tool.
“Also recovered were three cutlasses, two flat iron bars, one hammer, bags containing packs with inscription of DSP codiene cough syrup and empty bottles, ”
According to her, investigation is ongoing.
She said that updates would be provided to members of the public and suspects would be prosecuted accordingly upon completion of investigations.
