Police arrest 229 suspected hoodlums over murder, arson

The Lagos State Ministry of Justice on Saturday said that the Police has arrested 229 suspected hoodlums in connection with the violence that trailed the Lekki shooting by security personnel on Tuesday night.

Soldiers had allegedly shot live bullets to disperse EndSARS protesters at Lekki toll gate plaza and to enforce the 24hours curfew imposed by the state government.

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The aftermath of the shooting was massive destruction of public and private assets.

The Lagos State Government had said it will prosecute all suspected hoodlums arrested in connection with the mayhem unleashed on the State.

A statement by the Director, Public Affairs, Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Kayode Oyekanmi noted that their case files are being evaluated in preparatory to prosecution on charges of murder, arson, stealing, malicious damage of properties and assault among others.

He made known that the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions, Olayinka Adeyemi had gone round relevant Police formations with her team with a view to evaluating files of those arrested and determining those that have prima facie case made against them.

“Two hundred and twenty-nine suspects were arrested by the Police for various criminal offences, ranging from arson, murder, stealing, malicious damage of properties and assault before and after the state wide curfew imposed by Lagos State Governor to restore law and order,”

“After the evaluation exercise, those that have cases to answer will be arraigned before the courts on Monday, while the release of those that have no case to answer will be ensured,”

Meanwhile, the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN) has called on Lagosians to maintain peace, law and order in their respective communities while he assured of the state government’s commitment to uphold the rule of law always.