In a midnight sting operation, men of the Nigeria Police Force, on Sunday, raided criminal hotspots and hideouts around the Oko Filling bus stop along the LASU, Governor’s Road, Alimosho area, Iyana Ipaja Expressway.

The police set ablaze a sprawling dump site believed by many residents to have been occupied by armed robbers and hardened criminals, while some suspects were arrested in the process.

The operation, which took place close to Alimosho General Hospital, saw a heavy deployment of security personnel, with eyewitnesses reporting dozens of police patrol vehicles converging on the area from different parts of the state.

The incident sent residents into a panic, who frantically called police.
Residents reported hearing sporadic gunshots during the operation, although it could not be immediately ascertained if the shots were fired by police officers, suspects, or both.

Residents had sent several complaints to security personnel regarding the suspects’ presence and illegal activities, which had been a source of concern.

A victim, who simply identified as Deola, said it was a clash between the police and a group of cultists.

According to him, “I was really wounded yesterday in the chaos that followed as people were running for all those boys called cultists.

“They scattered all over Governor’s Road yesterday when I wanted to buy noodles last night. Those who were wounded landed in the hospital for treatment.”

Meanwhile, as of press time, the Lagos State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement, but it was gathered that the operation targeted a suspected criminal or terrorist hideout.