Outcry over alleged arrest, expulsion of 500 youths from Lagos

•Lagos, Osun Commands deny knowledge
•They requested to be taken to their states, Omotoso says

Outcry has trailed the allegations involving the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Maroko, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Raji Ganiyu over the arrest of about 500 youths and dumping them in Osun State.

The Guardian gathered that the young men were put on five luxurious buses and dumped in Osun at night.

A circulated voice note said to be that of one of the affected boys, claimed that they got them inside the buses at about 10:00p.m. on Friday and dumped them in Ilesa, Osun State.

The boy claimed that they were told to go anywhere they desired to go after being dumped and threatened to shoot them.
He alleged that they were initially taken to Elemoro from Maroko and from there to Osun State.

“I was arrested while selling black market fuel in front of a Filling station. They pick people in Ajah, Ibeju-Lekki, Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Agarawu and Island.

“They took us to a big uncompleted building close to the Maroko Police Station before taking us to Elemoro. There were four police officers on each bus and they put on the normal police uniform, while some wore Lagos State Task force jackets.

“We were up to 500 and were herded into five luxurious buses. They took us to Osun State after informing us that they wanted to give everyone money to return to their states,” the boy claimed.

Reacting, Lagos State Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, said that those arrested asked to be taken to their states of origin, but he did not give the reason they were dumped in Osun State.

He said: “The statewide exercise to free Lagos of visible security risks has continued after the arrest of some suspects under the Dolphin Estate bridge.

“The ceaseless influx of miscreants, beggars, and the destitute onto Lagos streets has raised fears of insecurity of lives and property. This is unacceptable.

“As part of the exercise, 450 miscreants were rescued at the weekend. Of the lot, 371 pleaded for assistance to relocate to their various states due to the hardship they are facing in Lagos; 79 have been absorbed into some government facilities for rehabilitation after showing signs of being unwell.

“The exercise will continue as part of the government’s responsibility to keep our citizens safe and secure.”

When contacted, spokesperson for Lagos State Police Command, Benjamin Hundeyin, denied involvement of the Police.

He said: “There is nothing like that. I called the DPO and he told me that he did not know about the incident. There is nothing like that. They raided and took those arrested to Area J and he returned to his office with his men.

“Some concerned Lagosians had suggested that the street urchins should be taken out of Lagos and dumped somewhere outside, but the CP objected because Nigerians have freedom of movement.”

Also, spokesperson for Osun State Police Command, Opalola Yemisi, denied knowledge of the incident.

“I am not aware. I didn’t get any report about the presence of anyone brought to the state,” she said.