Joy Anyim
The Lagos State Police Command has arrested the leader of the notorious Awawa cult group, identified as Tobi Akinbayo.
Akinbayo, who had been on the wanted list of the Command, was arrested, last Saturday, by operatives of the Operation CRUSH attached to the Area ‘G’ Command, at Ogba.
According to the state’s Commissioner of Police, CP Zubairu Muazu, Akinbayo was arrested alongside two other members of his gang, Balogun Jide and another simply identified as Dolapo.
CP Muazu said the suspects used to operate around Agege, Dopemu, Elere, Ijaye-Ojokoro, Alakuko, Pen-Cinema, Abattior, Iju and Oko-Oba.
He said the gang was also responsible for series of violent crimes and social disorders in the areas.
The police boss further stated that the Command had, in the last one month, arrested 40 armed robbery suspects, 29 suspected cultists and 19 murder suspects.
He said 31 robbery attempts were also foiled. In his words, “We have witnessed a huge reduction in violent crimes over the last few months.
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“This could be attributed to the robust crime prevention strategies put in place by the Command.
“In the last one month, the Command arrested 40 armed robbery suspects, 29 suspects for cultism, and 19 suspects for murder, 19 firearms and 51 rounds of live ammunition were recovered. 31 armed robbery attempts were foiled.”
While attributing the successes to timely information from members of the public, he said, “Let me, therefore, use this medium to appreciate Lagosians for their support to the command in terms of providing us with credible information on criminal activities.
“To all the media Houses in Lagos, we say thank you. Together we will continue to make Lagos state safe for everyone.”
