The Lagos Police and operatives of the State Task Force in a joint operation over the weekend arrested about 50 suspected criminals and confiscated 48 bags of illicit drugs in the Akala area of Mushin as part of the state’s policy to eradicate criminal hideouts in Lagos.

The mid-night joint enforcement operation was led by Mr. Soji Akinbayo, an Assistant Commissioner of Police and the Chairman of the Lagos State Task Force SP Olayinka Egbeyemi as well as all Divisional Police Officers under Area ‘D’ command Mushin.

Speaking on the operation, the SP Olayinka Egbeyemi disclosed that 44 males and 6 female suspected notorious criminals were arrested during the raid.

He disclosed further that 48 bags of substances suspected to be Indian hemp with packs of other illicit drugs such as

‘Novalyn with Codeine Cough Syrup’ and ‘A tuxil-c cough & cold with Codeine’ were recovered during the midnight raid.

SP Egbeyemi stated that the Task Force and Lagos Police Officers are battle-ready to maintain ‘Zero Tolerance’ on criminal activities across the State as initiated and directed by the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Imohimi Edgal.

He commended Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for giving priority to security challenges in the State by supporting the Nigerian Police including Lagos State Task Force with needed working materials.

One of the suspected male notorious criminals Sunday Adesoye a.k.a Malboro confessed that ‘Akala’ serves as a ‘Central Market’ for Indian hemp and illicit drugs to all miscreants and hoodlums across the state.

He stated further that he sold an average of N500,000 worth of Indian hemp with other illicit drugs per day to his customers from Obalende, Oshodi, Pen-cinema, Apapa, Lagos Island, Fadeyi amongst others.

A female suspect Mrs. Basirat Jimoh a.k.a Iya Suzzy, who hails from Ibadan in Oyo State, confessed to have been trading in Indian hemp and other illicit drugs at Akala area for over 17 years but denied being involved in any criminal activities.

All the arrested suspects have since been charged before Magistrate Lateef Owolabi of the Lagos State Mobile Court on a 3-count charge of Unlawful possession of weed suspected to be Indian Hemp, Trading in Indian Hemp and Conduct likely to cause Breach of Peace and Disorderly manner.

The Prosecuting Counsel, Barrister Oluremi Kuku disclosed that after the 50 suspected notorious criminals including six females pleaded ‘Not Guilty’ before the court, the Magistrate granted them bail and the case was adjourned to 15th of November, 2017 for further hearing.

The Lagos State Office of the Public Defender however provided free legal representation to the 50 accused through Barrister Bashiru Abdulsalam who appeared on their behalf during the trial.