The Lagos State Police Command said it had arrested no fewer than 88 suspected criminals 24 hours after the launch of Operation Flush.
The News Agency of Nigeria reported on Sunday that the state Commissioner of Police, Idowu Owohunwa, disclosed this while speaking with journalists in Ikeja.
Owohunwa, on Thursday, launched Operation Flush to identify trouble spots, especially along construction areas, and flush out criminals, particularly traffic robbers and other miscreants.
The launch was after PUNCH Metro’s report on Thursday that residents were lamenting over what looked like a surge in armed robbery cases on Lagos streets and roads.
NAN further quoted the CP as saying that during the raid, some hard drugs and arms were recovered, stressing that the suspects would be paraded before journalists this week.
He said one of the locations of security concerns raised included the Orile/Iganmu area, stressing that the current tension in the area was linked to the bridge.
He said, “On Thursday, we held a meeting and we launched the Operation Flush. So, many divisions have undertaken raids of black spots.
“We have taken some actions; if you pass through Orile, you will see it and we are going to have permanent police deployment along that stretch, but it didn’t stop there.
“I had to call the local government chairman; the truth is that the place isn’t under construction.
“So, I think the best way to manage it is to have palliatives, and then there will be some raids to complement it.”
On gender-based violence, the commissioner said he had scaled up the unit’s capacity since he assumed office.
He noted that gender-based violence, sexual abuse, and family-related violence remained one of the highest crimes in Lagos State.
According to him, it is unfortunate that the crimes are not fully reported because of socio-cultural factors.
The commissioner, therefore, called on journalists to be part of forces against crimes.
