Police beefs up security in Nigeria's economic hub

Police in Lagos, Nigeria's economic hub have beefed up security against incessant kidnappings in the state, a police chief said Wednesday.

Fatai Owoseni, the police chief in charge of Lagos told reporters that his personnel arrested 24 armed robbery suspects over crimes committed in the state in February.

Meanwhile, another 19 suspected kidnappers and eight cultists were also arrested in the past month.

One of the armed robbery suspects died following a shootout with the police, he said, noting that a total of 18 different firearms, 26 rounds of live ammunition, and 22 different exotic cars were recovered from the suspects.

Owoseni said some of the suspected kidnappers were arrested when they stormed Adebayo Market in Bariga area of the state to abduct some private guards.

Two of the private guards who had been kidnapped and taken to Ososa were also rescued, he added.

He assured residents and investors of commitment to their security and well-being, adding that no stone would be left un-turned towards protecting the people.

At least 246 persons were murdered, 542 vehicles stolen and 486 armed robbery suspects arrested in Lagos between December 2015 and November 2016, according to police statistics.

Also 51 kidnapped cases were recorded while 179 crime cases were prevented due to swift response of the security operatives in Lagos during the period.

Worried by the increase in crime cases, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, has assured residents that his administration would intensify efforts to ensure improvement in security of lives and property in the state. Endit