Lagos police boss orders arrest of gang leaders in Mile 12 crisis

The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Hakeem Odumosu, has ordered the arrest of 13 leaders of warring groups of Gengere community, Mile 12, Ketu area of Lagos State, for their alleged involvement in the crisis that was orchestrated by some hoodlums in the community on April 30, 2021 at around 3.3pm.

The order for the arrest of the leaders was given during interrogation and interview session with the leaders by the police boss at the conference room, state headquarters, Ikeja, yesterday.

Based on preliminary investigation, the commander, security committee in Gengere community, Alhaji Alidu Mohammed, was alleged to have disrespected and blasphemed Prophet Mohammed and the hoodlums went on the rampage, attacked him, set ablaze his two cars, vandalised one of his houses and set ablaze a small building belonging to one Alhaji Mamuda.

In response to the crisis, the commissioner of police immediately deployed additional policemen to the area where 45 suspects were arrested. As a result of the crisis, one Papa Mohammed, who was stabbed on April 30, 2021, gave up the ghost on May 1, while on admission.

In a bid by the command to restore normalcy and maintain law and order in the area, the commissioner of police has ordered the immediate arrest of the leaders of the warring groups who have been fuelling the crisis in the area as the warring parties still plan for continuous attacks on one another.

According to the police spokesman, Muyiwa Adejobi, “The police boss also directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police, State CID, Panti, Adegoke Fayoade, to immediately take over the case and carry out discreet investigation into the general crisis in the area, particularly the murder and arson cases recorded during the crisis.”

Hakeem Odumosu, however, warned the public that the police would not tolerate any act of religious intolerance and lawlessness in any part of the state.