By Christopher Oji
Two thugs specialising in land-grabbing have been arrested in possession of firearms and ammunition after another failed attack on Wood Island Estate, in the Ishawo area of Ikorodu, Lagos State.
One of the suspects, Rasak Segun, was arrested in possession of a white pistol while trying to escape through a neighbouring estate by vigilance group members and handed over to the police at Owutu Police Station.
Angry house owners and other people have mobilized to prevent another takeover of the area by land speculators, who demolished more than one hundred houses in the area sometime ago.
The suspect confessed to members of the Isawo community that he was ‘mobilized’ to Ikorodu from Ajah on the instance of a man identified as Owolabi, whose father allegedly demolished more than 100 houses in the area without any legal document.
Another unidentified person was arrested in the community carrying three pump-action guns concealed in a Toyota Corolla car.
The driver of the car and some other people now at large had reportedly invaded Ola Inukan some days ago, and members of the area challenged them.
Sensing danger, other occupants of the vehicle fled the scene but the driver was apprehended and handed over to the police.
The vehicle was thoroughly searched and three guns and assorted charms were recovered.
The image-maker of the Lagos State Police Command, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the arrest of the suspect to newsmen on Thursday.
Hundeyin said, “On Friday, April 11, 2025, at about 1925 hours, a complainant from the Owutu area of Ikorodu reported to the Owutu Division in the company of a vigilante member.
“They reported that one Segun was sighted moving in a suspicious manner and when he was questioned, he could not give a satisfactory account of himself.”
The police image-maker added that, “He was searched and one English-made pistol with two rounds of live ammunition and one phone were found in his bag,”
According to the police spokesperson, “investigation is ongoing.”