By ABIODUN LAWAL

The Police Command in Ogun has arrested 43 suspects during a raid on a criminal hideout at Isheri-Olofin on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.

The command’s spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Abeokuta, saying the operation raises the number of those arrested to 76

Babaseyi said that the July 8 operation by the Special Weapons and Tactial Unit (SWAT) followed credible intelligence linking the location opposite Kara Cattle Market to cultism, drug abuse, prostitution and other criminal activities.

He said that SWAT operatives arrested 28 men and 15 women during the coordinated raid led by the unit’s commander.

According to Babaseyi, exhibits recovered included substance suspected to be cannabis, “Loud”, other hard drugs, 10 mobile phones, four power banks and others.

He said that all 43 suspects have been charged to court and remanded for offences including conspiracy, unlawful society, drug-related offences, prostitution and public peace violations.

Babaseyi said some suspects were assisting investigators with useful information, while follow-up operations were ongoing to arrest other members of the criminal network.

The Commissioner of Police (CP), Bode Ojajuni, commended the SWAT team for professionalism and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to dismantling criminal hideouts across Ogun.

“The state will remain hostile terrain for criminals and hideouts, drug joints, brothels used as covers for criminal activities, cult enclaves, and other black spots will continue to be identified, raided, and dismantled,” he said.

Ojajuni also urged residents to provide timely and credible information to the police, assuring that intelligence-led policing would continue to protect lives, property and public order. (NAN)