The Lagos State Commissioner of Police Olohundare Jimoh has described as false, claims that 30 suspected terrorists were arrested in Lagos.

Jimoh refuted the claims in a telephone interview with The Nation, yesterday, urging residents to dismiss the claim in its entirety.

According to the police boss, such unsubstantiated reports would only create panic among residents, clarifying that at no time was any Boko Haram terrorist seen or apprehended in Lagos.

Jimoh explained that what might have been misunderstood was the arrest of 27 persons by officials of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC) during a raid in Lekki.

“The KAI (LAGESC) officials carried out a raid based on information received about activities of some fraudulent people in Lekki. During the raid, they arrested 26 suspects for fraudulent activities who were of no fixed address.

“The officials moved the suspects including children to their head office at Bolade Oshodi, where they were handed over to the police for further action.

“Those arrested were found with fake foreign currencies. The suspects are also foreigners,” said CP Jimoh, assuring residents that the police and relevant agencies were living no stone unturned to ensure safety and security in Lagos.

Meanwhile, LAGESC on its official X account signed by spokesman, Lukman Ajayi, said 27 suspects were arrested for alleged illegal oil bunkering and possession of counterfeit naira notes.

It said the suspects were caught during an enforcement operation in Lekki, noting that they constituted serious safety and environmental risks.

Quoting Corps Marshal, Major Olaniyi Cole (rtd), Ajayi said: ‘‘We discovered via intelligence reports how the activities of an unlicensed depot and oil bunkering enclave impacted the environment negatively thereby constituting a threat to public health and safety.’’

“The place also provided cover for miscreants found in possession of fake naira notes used to transact at night from unsuspecting vendors.”

LAGESC said the facility was being used for storage, adulteration and distribution of petroleum products, adding that several drums filled with suspected adulterated diesel were found there.

Also, the Kogi State Police Command has denied rumours of bandits’ invasion of communities within the state capital, Lokoja.

The command insisted that the rumours were meant to instill fears in the residents and cause panic in the state..

In a statement, the Command’s spokesman,Chief Superintendent of Police William Aya, yesterday said there was no bandit invasion in Felele, Zango and Crusher communities.

The command added that it had deployed tactical teams, including the Police Mobile Force and counter-terrorism units, to strategic locations in the state to ensure safety of lives and properties.

The Command urged residents to go about their activities. It also warned rumour peddlers of the police readiness to deal with whoever is caught spreading false information.

The statement read: “The Kogi State Police Command is assuring residents that there’s no truth to rumors of bandit invasion in Zango, Crusher, and Felele communities in Lokoja. The story is “fake news” meant to create unnecessary tension in the state.

“The Commissioner of Police, Naziru Bello Kankarofi, psc, mni, has warned those peddling rumors of bandit invasion to desist from spreading false alarms, causing unnecessary fears and panic among the good people of the state.

“ Anyone found guilty of spreading false alarms will be arrested and prosecuted accordingly.

“The CP reaffirmed the deployment of tactical teams, including the Police Mobile Force and counter-terrorism units, to strategic locations to ensure safety. Residents are being urged to go about their daily activities as usual and report any suspicious activities to the authorities.

“Security is a shared responsibility, and everyone is asked to work together to keep the state safe. (The Nation)