Residents of Lagos were left in shock on Thursday after operatives of the Lagos State Police Command arrested a 21-year-old suspected armed robber in possession of a suspected human hand, firearms and several stolen items during a routine stop-and-search operation along the Lekki-Epe Expressway.
The suspect, identified as Samson Onilewaji, was apprehended while travelling in an unregistered commercial shuttle bus carrying six occupants.
Police said a search of the vehicle and its occupants led to the recovery of a suspected human right hand, two locally made pistols, one live cartridge, two axes, a Point of Sale (PoS) terminal machine and five Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards.
The gruesome discovery has sparked fresh concerns over ritual-related crimes and violent criminal activities in Lagos.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer of the Lagos State Command, SP Abimbola Adebisi, the suspect confessed during interrogation that he had recently robbed three individuals of their personal belongings, including the recovered PkS machine and ATM cards.
“Efforts are ongoing to identify and contact the victims for the return of their recovered property,” the police spokesperson stated.
Investigators are also working to unravel the mystery surrounding the recovered human hand.
Authorities said efforts are being intensified to determine the identity of the owner of the body part, establish how the suspect came into possession of it and ascertain its intended use.
Police sources disclosed that detectives are exploring all possible angles, including armed robbery and suspected ritual activities, while pursuing other members of the criminal network believed to be associated with the suspect.
The arrest was made during one of the Lagos State Police Command’s routine stop-and-search operations aimed at combating crime and enhancing security across the state.
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Tijani Olaiwola Fatai, assured residents that the command remains resolute in its determination to rid the state of violent criminals and other lawbreakers.
He reiterated the importance of public cooperation in the fight against crime, urging Lagosians to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements and activities to security agencies.
“The Lagos State Police Command remains committed to combating violent crime and ensuring the safety of all residents. We urge members of the public to continue supporting the police with timely and credible information that will aid crime prevention and enhance public safety,” the Commissioner said.
The suspect is expected to be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigations.
The latest arrest comes amid intensified efforts by security agencies to clamp down on criminal elements operating within the state and serves as a reminder of the growing need for community participation in intelligence gathering and crime prevention.
The police have appealed to anyone who may have lost a POS terminal machine, ATM cards or other valuables through robbery in recent weeks to contact the Lagos State Police Command as investigations continue.
