… Dislodge Cultists, Hoodlums, Others
The Lagos State Police Command has rescued 217 young boys and girls allegedly recruited by a Chinese/Lebanese group known as Hengfa and confined under deplorable conditions in a building for purported cryptocurrency trading and other online businesses.
According to a statement shared by the Lagos State Government on its social media channels on Wednesday, this revelation was part of a recent Situation Report from the Lagos State Police Command. The rescue operation was prompted by a distress call reporting groups of young boys and girls seen hibernating at Eazzy Homes Court II in Oniru Estate, Maroko. Upon arrival, the Police discovered that these youths had been recruited from various parts of the country by the Hengfa group.
“217 subjects comprising 50 young females and 167 young males, were successfully rescued from the place. On interrogation, the subjects could not give a satisfactory account of their mission or produce any means of identification. However, the manhunt for the owner(s) of the building and promoter(s) of the Hengfa group for questioning is being intensified, and investigation is in progress”, the report stated.
The Command also responded to a domestic violence incident involving a man named Motunrayo Olaniyi (30), who allegedly stabbed his wife, Olajumoke Oyedeji (25), during a scuffle in their home at Amazing Grace Estate, Elepe, Ikorodu. Olaniyi reportedly stabbed his wife to death, locked her in the room, and set it ablaze before inflicting wounds on himself.
Upon arrival at the scene, detectives found that the fire had been extinguished and Oyedeji’s body lay on the floor with abdominal wounds. Olaniyi was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment of his self-inflicted injuries and subsequently taken into custody. He later confessed to stabbing his wife during an altercation and inflicting minor wounds on himself. Oyedeji’s body has been transferred to the Ikorodu General Hospital morgue for an autopsy.
Additionally, the Command reported the recovery of a stolen Toyota Corolla belonging to Ogunkobade Akinola. The vehicle, which had been reported stolen, was tracked to the possession of Ayuba Rasheed in Igando. Rasheed was arrested and detained pending further investigation.
The report also highlighted an incident involving a group of armed robbers at the Iyana School bus stop. A swift police response to a tip-off led to a confrontation with the robbers, resulting in injuries to two suspects who were injured in a crash during an attempted escape. Police recovered two locally made pistols, an unexpended cartridge, and an unregistered TVS motorcycle. Efforts are underway to apprehend the remaining suspects.
The Command further disclosed the capture of two suspected kidnappers around Mowonla, Ikorodu, who were caught attempting to kidnap a victim. The suspects have reportedly confessed to the crime. Additionally, the Command has been active in dislodging cultists and hoodlums terrorizing communities, and seizing unauthorized weapons from these groups.
In a related development, officers from the Command, along with firefighters and emergency responders, responded to a fire outbreak at a residential building on Olanrewaju Street, Iyana Ipaja. While the fire was contained, one life was lost, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Idowu Alabi, commended the prompt actions of his officers in responding to these incidents, reiterating the Command’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all Lagos residents. He assured that the Police would continue to intensify efforts to rid the state of criminal elements and protect the lives and properties of residents.