Teenager ‘moves guns hidden in bread’

A 15-year-old boy, Taiye Majekodunmi, has been arrested by the Lagos State Police Command for allegedly transporting firearms and ammunition concealed inside a loaf of bread.

Majekodunmi was arrested at Capa, Oshodi, while allegedly acting on the instruction of one Samuel to deliver the weapons to a receiver.

The arrest was among a series of operations that resulted in the apprehension of 32 suspects, recovery of 10 firearms, 43 vehicles, N2.5 million cash, ammunition and other exhibits across Lagos.

The Commissioner of Police, Lagos state command, CP Tijani Fatai, disclosed this yesterday while briefing journalists on the Command’s achievements in September.

According to him, a search conducted on the teenager led to the recovery of a locally made fabricated Beretta pistol, four rounds of unexpended 9mm ammunition and a locally made single-barrel cut-to-size gun.

Further investigation, he said, led detectives to another cut-to-size gun and 11 additional cartridges.

Fatai said the firearms recovered during the operations comprised five pump-action guns and five locally made pistols, while 20 live ammunition/cartridges, 15 expended ammunition, two cutlasses and suspected criminal charms were also recovered.

He said the suspects were arrested in connection with alleged armed robbery, cultism, unlawful possession of firearms, stealing and other violent crimes.

“The Lagos State Police Command remains steadfast and unwavering in its commitment to safeguarding lives and property across Lagos State through proactive policing, intelligence-led operations, strategic crime prevention initiatives and swift responses to emerging security threats,” the CP said.

In another operation, police arrested 32-year-old Ojo Azeez along Oko Oba Road at about 4am after suspected hoodlums allegedly fled on sighting police operatives.

A search reportedly led to the recovery of a locally made cut-to-size pistol, radiator, car jack, engine block and a bag containing assorted vehicle spare parts and tools.

The command also arrested 29-year-old Ezekiel Sunday Obi over an alleged armed robbery at Ghost and Spirit Lounge, Ekoro Road, Abule Egba.

Police alleged that armed robbers, reportedly armed with an AK-47 rifle, robbed a victim of gold jewellery before escaping in a Mercedes-Benz GLK SUV.

Another suspect, Ogunbayo Abdulwahab, was arrested over alleged links to a robbery gang operating between Idi-Oro, Mushin and Chevron, Lekki-Ajah.

The police said N2.5 million and three mobile phones were recovered from a hotel room allegedly shared by members of the gang.

The anti-cultism operation also recorded arrests in Mushin, Ikorodu and Badagry.

In Badagry, 12 suspected members of the Eiye confraternity were arrested, while police recovered a locally made firearm, suspected charms, a Mercedes-Benz and vehicle keys.

Meanwhile, the command said more than 41 vehicles were impounded during an early-morning enforcement operation targeting vehicles with covered number plates, unregistered vehicles and unauthorised dealer’s number plates.

Fatai warned motorists against violating the law, stressing that covering vehicle number plates makes identification difficult and could undermine police investigations.

“It is unlawful for you to drive your vehicle without a plate number. It is also unlawful to cover your plate number at any point in time,” he said.

The CP also cautioned vehicle dealers against allowing their dealer’s number plates to be used on vehicles belonging to friends or relatives.

“If you are a vehicle dealer, that licence is given to you to be attached to the vehicles you sell, not for you to give out to your friends and their families who are driving on the road,” he said.

Fatai also appealed to members of the public to cooperate with police officers carrying out visibility patrols and other lawful duties.

He said the public should understand that the presence of policemen on the streets is part of efforts to prevent crime and protect communities.

“We all believe that if policemen are not on the road, if visibility policing is not in place, nobody, even members of the community, can move from one place to the other without fear,” he said.

The Commissioner noted that police officers are exposed to danger while performing their duties, adding that members of the public should not automatically view every police presence as a problem.

“Quite unfortunately, the opinion of the public has not appreciated what the policemen are doing. They have been killed on a daily basis,” he said.

He urged residents to allow officers to perform their duties while reporting any misconduct through appropriate channels.

“Wherever you see policemen, you should be assured that they are posted there genuinely to protect you,” Fatai said.

He commended officers and operatives for the breakthroughs recorded during the month and thanked members of the public for providing information that assisted police operations.

“I commend our officers and operatives for these breakthroughs and appreciate members of the public for their continued cooperation and timely provision of credible information,” he said.