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Lagos State PPRO, SP Benjamin Hundeyin
The Lagos State Police Command has arrested four men, including a fuel station manager, over alleged involvement in a gang responsible for a string of armed robberies in the state.
The suspects, identified as Noble Saint Neokoro (44), Batomie Samson (48), Abubakar Ali (47), and Bitrus Ibrahim (42), were apprehended by operatives of the Tactical Squad Hawk in the Ejigbo area following a tip-off and a discreet investigation.
According to reports, the manager of a filling station was among those arrested, while the station owner was reportedly unaware of the alleged criminal activities. The source said the suspects had confessed to being part of a robbery gang.
Confirming the arrests, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, said the arrests were linked to an ongoing crackdown on a gang that specialises in hijacking trucks conveying fuel and goods.
Hundeyin explained, “The operation was carried out by the Tactical Squad Hawk of the command. Four suspects were arrested including a fuel station manager. The owner of the fuel station denied knowledge of their activities. NUPENG also played a vital role in apprehending the manager.”
He added that the arrests followed an earlier operation in which seven suspects were detained and a hijacked fuel tanker was recovered.
The earlier incident occurred on June 28, when a fuel tanker loaded with Premium Motor Spirit was hijacked and later found empty at Orile. Police investigations led to the arrest of seven individuals at a filling station in Ejigbo where the stolen fuel was reportedly being offloaded.
The suspects in that case were identified as Izuchukwu Nwanoruo, Kayode Falodun, Ojo Ayodele, Ayomide Thompson, Ahmed Saliu, Igbalaye Kareem, and Babatunde Ahmed. The recovered tanker has been marked as evidence.
Hundeyin stated that the suspects are assisting with ongoing investigations and will be charged to court upon conclusion.
The Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, commended the operatives involved and urged residents to continue providing credible information to support the police’s efforts in safeguarding lives and property across the state. (The Guardian)
