Lagos State government yesterday alerted residents on a new dimension of criminal activities in parts of the state perpetrated by men of the underworld.

In a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Habib Aruna, the state government said unscrupulous persons rendered their prospective victims unconscious through the rubbing of a perfumed handkerchief on their face.

The statement alerted that the bandits usually targeted victims in either a lonely commuter bus, taxi or at a quiet corner.

It added that by the time the effect of the drugged perfume wears off, the criminals would have fled after robbing a victim.

The statement listed the Igando axis in Alimosho Local Government Area as one of the areas where this new dimension of crime had become very pronounced in recent times.

It said: “It is not yet known how harmful the drug being used on the handkerchief is.

“While that is being checked out, it may be necessary to alert members of the public on this new dimension.”