Lagos Security Agency arrests 279 suspects in statewide raid

By Adebola Isimijola, Lagos

The Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Agency (LNSA) has intensified its crackdown on criminal activities across the state with the arrest of 279 suspected criminals, hoodlums and miscreants during a coordinated raid on identified blackspots, criminal hideouts and shanties.

The General Manager of the Agency, Prince (Dr.) Ifalade Oyekan, disclosed this while parading the suspects at the agency’s headquarters in Bolade, Oshodi, on Monday.

Oyekan declared that Lagos would remain hostile to criminal elements, warning that offenders would face the full weight of the law.

According to him, the operation, which began late Sunday and continued into Monday, was part of the Lagos State Government’s sustained efforts to rid the state of criminal activities and strengthen public safety and order.

He explained that the exercise was intelligence-driven and executed based on information gathered through the agency’s network of community informants and field operatives stationed across different parts of the state.

“The operation aligns with the directive of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, to ensure that Lagos maintains its status as the safest and most secure state in Nigeria despite its rapidly growing population,” Oyekan stated.

The LNSA boss revealed that the 279 suspects arrested comprised 274 males and five females, allegedly involved in offences ranging from theft and public nuisance to other criminal activities.

He further disclosed that several of the suspects failed to provide valid means of identification or verifiable residential addresses at the point of arrest.

Oyekan also noted that some of those arrested for alleged public nuisance were reportedly brought into Lagos through trucks and vehicles commonly used for transporting goods and livestock.

While affirming the constitutional rights of Nigerians to reside and move freely in any part of the country, he stressed that the state would not condone acts capable of threatening public peace and security.

“Lagos State will not tolerate criminality or any activity capable of undermining the peace and security enjoyed by residents. Through our intelligence network and collaboration with sister security agencies, we will continue to ensure that law-abiding residents feel safe while criminals have no hiding place in Lagos,” he said.

The agency’s general manager further disclosed that two suspects were arrested while allegedly attempting to steal a submersible pumping machine from a residential apartment.

He added that dangerous weapons, including machetes and knives, as well as suspected illicit drugs, were recovered from some of the suspects during the operation.

Oyekan reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to sustaining the raid in collaboration with other security and law enforcement agencies across the state.

He said all the suspects had been transferred to the Lagos State Special Offences Mobile Court for further investigation and possible prosecution.

The operation forms part of ongoing measures by the Lagos State Government aimed at strengthening public safety and ensuring a crime-free environment across the state.