Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested the wanted traditional ruler of Oguntade Village, Oba Lateefu Olarinde, and his son, Prince Yusuf, alleged to be responsible for violent attacks on people and properties in Satellite Town, Amuwo Odofin.
Olarinde, a self acclaimed monarch, was arrested on Thursday at his hideout in Ile-Epo, several months after he fled to Benin Republic in the wake of a manhunt for him.
They were declared wanted by Police Commissioner (PC) Hakeem Odumosu, after series of petitions from residents, warehouse owners and truck drivers who accused the monarch and his sons of harbouring and unleashing armed thugs on people who refused to be extorted by them.
The Nation had earlier reported attacks carried out by armed thugs on numerous victims at Mile 2, Abule-Ado, Ojo road, Abule-Osun, some parts of Festac, Vin-Niger and Abule-Osun areas.
Following their attack on truckers, which led to the death of two people and left many wounded, the police moved to arrest them but they were attacked by the hoodlums, who pelted them with bottles and stones, and destroyed some of their vehicles.
Angered by the development, the PC Odumosu vowed to fish out the culprits and their sponsors no matter how long it took.
Subsequently, he deployed undercover detectives to monitor Oguntade village and report back to him whenever Olarinde and Yusuf, who both fled to Benin Republic returned.
Unknown of this development, the suspects who snuck back into the country weeks ago, allegedly sponsored another attack, last Tuesday, at Abule-Oshun where three persons including a young man were badly wounded.
While some of the hoodlums who took part in that attack were immediately rounded up, policemen from Satellite Division, Area E Command, and the undercover operatives, last weekend, ambushed Yusuf at his hideout in Ile-Epo.
Few days later, operatives arrested his father, Olarinde, who is said to be undergoing questioning at the Special Anti-Robbery Sqaud (SARS).
Before Olarinde’s arrest, it was gathered that he attempted to get his son released by petitioning the Assistant Inspector General (AIG) in charge of Zone Two, Ahmed Iliyasu, who rebuffed him.
The AIG, it was gathered, endorsed the action of the Commissioner of Police (CP), insisting that they be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted.
Already, the police have asked all victims of the gang to come forward and substantiate their cases including Tuesday’s victims.
Police spokesman, Bala Elkana, confirmed the arrest of culprits stating that investigations had commenced.
