Lagos police: Our officers rejected N500k bribe to release ‘cultist, armed robber’

The police command in Lagos state says its operatives rejected a N500,000 bribe for the release of a suspected cultist and an armed robber.

The police, in a statement on Thursday, said its anti-crime patrol team, on September 4, arrested one Alabi Timothy, an armed robbery suspect, during a stop and search operation at Lekki axis of the state.

A locally-made double-barrelled gun and two live cartridges were said to have been recovered from the suspect.

On the same day, one Badmus Toheed, an alleged member of Aye confraternity, was arrested at Ajah axis of the state.

“The armed robbery suspect, Alabi Timothy ‘m’ aged 23, resident of 9, Baale street, Majek, Ajah, was arrested at about 0030hrs of 4/9/2021 at General Paint, Garden area, Lekki during a routine stop and search by the police,” the statement reads.

“A locally-made double barrel gun and two live cartridges including an expended cartridge concealed in a bag were recovered from the suspect.

“Similarly, a self-confessed cultist, Badmus Toheed (male), 22, who belongs to the Aye Confraternity was arrested with a live cartridge in the General Paint ghetto area, Ajah at about 0045hrs of 4th September, 2021.

“The suspect confessed that he was initiated into the Aye Confraternity sometime in June, 2021.”

According to the police, two persons came with the sum of N400,000 and N100,000 for the release of the suspected armed robber and cultist, respectively.

The police said the persons who offered the bride were arrested for trying to pervert the course of justice.

“In related developments, two suspects have been arrested for offering bribe to the police to secure the release of the two suspects and pervert the course of justice,” the statement added.

“While Adariku Sunday ‘m’, 34, resident of 66, Henry Smith Close, Abidjan GRA, Ajah offered the sum of N400,000 bribe in cash to secure the release of the robbery suspect, Folorunso Akeem, (m), 43, offered the sum of N100, 000 cash to secure the release of the suspected cultist.

“Determined to ensure justice through thorough investigation, the uncompromising police officers in charge of the case rejected the bribe.”