Lagos State Task Force said it had arrested 77 suspected criminals including prostitutes during a mid-night raid in some parts of the state.

The agency also said it arrested six others, who it described as notorious members of dreadful ‘Awawa Cult Gang’ at Aluminium Village at Dopemu area of Agege, while their ring leader, one Tobi Akinsanya aka ‘Scorpion’ who was just released from prison, is now at large.

Chairman of the agency, CSP Olayinka Egbeyemi, disclosed this on Monday in a statement made available to newsmen by his office, saying that the enforcement was carried out around Akowonjo, Egbeda, Shasha, Iyana-Ipaja, Ayobo and Abule-Oki, following incessant complaints by residents of the area.

According to Egbeyemi, the exercise was also carried out in continuation of total eradication of criminal hideouts across Lagos, based on directives of both the state government and that of the State Commissioner of Police, CP Zubairu Muazu.

The Task Force boss said the state Commissioner of Police was poised at tackling current challenges and making sure that criminal elements were no longer allowed any free reign, declaring that they would not be given freedom of space to practise any of their criminal acts.

However, Egbeyemi confirmed only 12 males and 26 prostitutes without proper means of identifications out of those arrested would be prosecuted, saying the agency arrived at this after a thorough screening was conducted of all those raided.

“We want to assure members of the public that there is a synergy amongst all security agencies across the state and that we will not renege in fulfilling our primary responsibility of protecting lives and properties,” he said.

Meanwhile, Chairman of Lagos Task Force, Olayinka Egbeyemi, has taken over the Aluminium Village at Dopemu area of Agege over what he called a breach of security and peace.

The Task Force boss said the enforcement team of the agency demolished all illegal shanties where criminal elements (Awawa cult gang) hibernated to perpetrate their nefarious activities on innocent members of the public.

“A lot of criminal activities like rape, robbery and harbouring of criminals takes place at ‘Aluminium Village’ on a daily basis. We receive daily complaints about criminal activities about the area from residents/victims and therefore mobilised to dislodged the entire area to flushed out all criminals,” Egbeyemi stated.

He confirmed that six notorious members of dreadful ‘Awawa Cult Gang’ were arrested while their ring leader, Tobi Akinsanya aka ‘Scorpion,’ was now at large.

According to Egbeyemi: “While we are still on the trail of these two prime suspects (Tobi Akinsanya) and his second in command (aka Body), we want to assure members of the public that this ‘Awawa Cult Gang’ have murdered sleep and will not sleep anymore (sic).

“We shall make sure that all of them are rooted out and will face the full wrath of the law.”

This was just as he reminded that the Commissioner of Police had warned parents to always monitor their children and wards as anyone caught fomenting any trouble or engaging in any criminal activities such as selling/smoking illicit drugs, rape, cultism or robbery would be prosecuted in accordance with the law. (Nigerian Tribune)

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