Operatives of Lagos State Police Command yesterday disclosed that they have arrested and arraigned before the Magistrates’ courts over 620 suspects for flouting lockdown order in the state.
According to the Police Command Spokesperson, Bala Elkana, a Deputy Superintendent Of Police, in a statement made available to Journalists, a clergyman was among the suspects arrested for holding group prayers in defiance to the social distancing directives while 39 Strippers or clubbers were arrested in a night club.
“Seven commercial buses were intercepted with 95 interstates travelers were also arrested.
He said,“ The arrest was made on April 21, 2020, at about 2000hours acting on information, operatives from Denton Police Station arrested 95 inter States travelers at Bhojson area, Ebute Metta in seven commercial buses with registration numbers LG 91 BGT, Lagos to Benue; BDA 690 XA, Lagos to Abuja; BGA 86 EA, Lagos to Abuja; LSD 459 XA, Lagos to Benue; LRN 105 YR, Lagos to Ilorin; LSD 81 XX, Lagos to Ilorin and BWR 975 PN, Lagos to Abuja”
Bala said the buses were impounded, the drivers and passengers were charged to Mobile Court and sentenced accordingly.
‘’In addition, 211 violators of lockdown order were arrested in different parts of the State and also charged to Court. Meanwhile, on April 23, 2020, at about 2230hrs, operatives from Maroko Police Station arrested 10 suspects for organising a party at Lekki Garden. The suspects were arraigned in Court on three counts charges and found guilty as charged.
‘’ They were sentenced to six months imprisonment and community service, to run concurrently. Similarly, 121 violators of lockdown order were arrested in different parts of Lagos State and charged to Court. They were awarded fines ranging from N5000 and N10,000 and two hours of community services.
‘’However, on April 24, 2020, at about 0130hours, acting on credible intelligence, operatives from Idimu Police Station arrested 39 suspects in a hotel at Idimu, for clubbing and striptease. This is in total violation of the lockdown order and social distancing regulations.
‘’Also, on April 24, 2020, at about 2030hours, Enforcement team from the Rapid Response Squad arrested one Suleiman Abubakar, the Imam of Sheik Central Mosque, Mile 12 Ketu for holding evening prayers (Maghrib and Isha prayers) in the Mosque with a large number of worshippers in violation of the social distancing regulations. A total of 288 violators of the lockdown order were over the weekend, arrested in different parts of the state.’’
The Commissioner of Police Lagos State, Hakeem Odumosu, however, called on residents to continue to be law-abiding, especially during this lockdown period.
He warned against spreading fake news and recycling old videos on social media with new captions that suggest that the incidents happened during the lockdown period in Lagos, mainly to create panic.
The commissioner said the Command would investigate sources of such mischievous messages with a view to bringing the perpetrators to justice.
