Two suspected land grabbers have been arrested by the Lagos State Police Command after a failed attempt to attack residents of Wood Island Estate in the Ishawo area of Ikorodu.
The arrest was made following a quick response from both vigilant homeowners and security forces.
The incident occurred on Thursday when the suspects reportedly stormed the estate.
However, the plan was resisted by angry homeowners who had previously suffered from a similar invasion.
It was gathered that over 100 houses were destroyed during a land grabbing incident in the same estate last year.
A source within the police, who preferred to remain unnamed, told our correspondent that the suspects were caught with firearms and charms.
“Angry house owners and other people have mobilised themselves to prevent another takeover of the area by land speculators, who demolished more than 100 houses,” the source stated.
One of the suspects, Rasak Segun, was reportedly found with a white pistol.
He was caught while trying to escape through a neighbouring estate and was immediately handed over to the Owutu Police Station by local vigilante members.
Moreover, another arrest was made within the estate when a Toyota Corolla carrying arms was intercepted.
According to the police source, “The driver and some other people were in the car. Sensing danger, the other occupants fled the scene, but the driver was arrested and handed over to the police.
The vehicle was thoroughly searched and three guns and assorted charms were recovered.”
In addition to the weapons, charms were found hidden in the car.
This has further raised concerns about the activities of criminal land grabbers targeting peaceful communities across Lagos.
Meanwhile, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, the spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, confirmed the arrests during a media briefing on Thursday.
He revealed, “On Friday, April 11, at about 7:25 pm, a complainant of Owutu area of Ikorodu reported at Owutu Division in the company of a vigilante member reported that one Segun was sighted moving suspiciously.
When he was questioned, he could not give a satisfactory account of himself.
However, he was searched and one pistol with two rounds of live ammunition and one phone was found in his bag.”
He added that investigations are still ongoing and further updates will be shared with the public as needed.
However, the successful arrest of the suspects shows that the police are not relenting in their efforts.
