Crocodile Smile II: Army arrests 40 in Lagos, Ogun

The Nigerian army says it arrested 40 suspects for various offences within Lagos and Ogun states during the Operation Crocodile Smile II.

In a statement on Tuesday, Olaolu Daudu, spokesman of the 81 division in Lagos, said troops have been carrying out routine activities associated with the exercise alongside other security agencies.

“Some suspected criminals have been arrested; drug peddlers, cultists, car snatchers and other criminal elements have been denied freedom of action through patrols, raids, road blocks and checkpoints,” the statement read.

He said the troops arrested the suspected pipeline vandals on October 4, at Ronik Hotel Agbule Egba area of Lagos state, seizing items such as 16 loaded kegs of premium motor spirit (PMS), 5 cars and 2 tankers loaded with PMS.

Troops of the division also arrested “a car robber who snatched a Toyota Venza with reg no. FST 762 CV along Ikorodu – Sagamu road” on October 11.

“Five drug peddlers were apprehended with gallons of unidentified chemical substances and Indian hemp on October 14 by the troops at Agbara area of Lagos state in conjunction with men of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

“Similarly, raid and clearance operations were carried out on October 14 by the troops at Ajah general area and nine suspects were arrested with bags containing Indian hemp.”

Other similar operations include a raid at Ipodo, Ikeja general area where five suspects were arrested and items recovered include four generators, four laptops, scanning machine, colour printer, three stabilizers, 10 ups, three car chargers and 16 handsets stand.

Daudu said: “On October 15, the commander sector 3 of Operation Crocodile Smile 2 handed over 36 suspects arrested by troops of the sector during a raid operation at criminal hideouts and notorious drug dens in Ikorodu general area.

“The handover was carried out at Odogunyan barracks in Ikorodu, while the suspects were received by the area commander, Nigeria police Ijede in Ikorodu.”

He added that all other suspects have been handed over to the relevant security agencies.

The spokesperson reassured the public that the division is poised to maintain peace and security in the Lagos and Ogun states while urging the public to cooperate with security agencies.