Operation Flush: 88 robbery suspects arrested in Lagos, clampdown continues

<p>The Lagos State Police Command said it had arrested no fewer than 88 suspected criminals 24 hours after the launch of Operation Flush.</p>, <p>The News Agency of Nigeria reported on Sunday that the state Commissioner of Police, Idowu Owohunwa, disclosed this while speaking with journalists in Ikeja.</p>, <p>Owohunwa, on Thursday, launched Operation Flush to identify trouble spots, especially along construction areas, and flush out criminals, particularly traffic robbers and other miscreants.</p>, <p>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.</p>, <p>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.</p>, <p>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.</p>, <p>He said, “On Thursday, we held a meeting and we launched the Operation Flush. So, many divisions have undertaken raids of black spots.</p>, <p>“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.</p>, <p>“I had to call the local government chairman; the truth is that the place isn’t under construction.</p>, <p>“So, I think the best way to manage it is to have palliatives, and then there will be some raids to complement it.”</p>, <p>On gender-based violence, the commissioner said he had scaled up the unit’s capacity since he assumed office.</p>, <p>He noted that gender-based violence, sexual abuse, and family-related violence remained one of the highest crimes in Lagos State.</p>, <p>According to him, it is unfortunate that the crimes are not fully reported because of socio-cultural factors.</p>, <p>The commissioner, therefore, called on journalists to be part of forces against crimes.