By Ifeanyi Okolie
In its bid to ensure a crime- free yuletide season in Lagos State, the police on Tuesday, busted three notorious robbery hideouts, arresting five suspects.   Three exotic cars earlier stolen from their owners were also recovered from the hideout.

Police sources said, two of the robbers were arrested at Atunrase Street in Mushin area of Lagos State, when a team of Anti_robbery policemen from Area D Mushin , while responding to a distress call engaged a four- man robbery gang, armed with locally- made shotguns, in a shootout while they robbed residents of the streets openly.

It was learnt that the bandits were later overpowered by the policemen and they abandoned their loots and ran away.

Two members of the gang were later apprehended at a notorious spot near Akala Street, while two locally- made shotguns and a Honda Car they had earlier snatched from its owner,  were recovered.

The suspects and exhibits.

The operatives of the State Special Anti_robbery Squad (SARS), were not left out of the game.   They also raided a notorious robbery hideout at Ojodu, Berger area of the State where they arrested one Olanikpekun Solomon, with two locally- made pistols and twenty live cartridges.

The suspect also led the operatives to Oyo State, where a member of his gang, Lateef Adetunji, was arrested and a robbed Honda Saloon car with Reg. No. HL 448 ABC was recovered.

Operatives from the SARS also arrested one Abudulazeez Saliu, who fled to Okene in Kogi State, with a victim’s Toyota Corolla car, marked JY 477 KJA.  The suspect and other members of his gang had earlier  carried out a day-light operation at  Tajudeen Olarewaju Estate, Yaba, Lagos State.

Similarly, Anti-Robbery policemen from Ajegunle police Station, arrested three members of a notorious robbery gang, who have been wrecking havoc along the Otto Warf road in Ajagunle, as  they mounted a road block along the road and were robbing motorists and motorcyclists plying the route at night.

The  command spokesman Frank Mba, who confirmed the report said  the command is fully prepared to ensure that the yuletide is safe from armed robbers and other negative vices. He also advised people to be  mindful of their conduct as they travel during the  season.