Police Rescue 4 Suspected Shoplifters From Lagos Mob

A gang of four men, allegedly caught trying to steal items from a shop in Surulere, has been rescued from a mob by operatives of the state’s Police Command.

In a statement by SP Benjamin Hundeyin, Police Spokesperson on Tuesday, the suspects were caught by the mob while stealing exotic wines from a supermarket before a distress call by some community members prompted police intervention.

“Police operatives attached to Surulere Division have rescued one Babatunde Ogunsemi ‘m’ aged 48, Olatunde Ayinde ‘m’ aged 50, Oludare Olusegun ‘m’ aged 49 and Sunday Ebifega ‘m’ aged 41 from a mob for allegedly shoplifting at a supermarket in Surulere.

“The suspects were rescued and thereafter arrested following swift deployment of officers after receipt of a distress call from members of the community about the mob action. The syndicate had ventured into a supermarket, attempted to steal before they were caught.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects were once captured on CCTV on 01/09/2022 shoplifting six bottles of Martell Blue swift cognac from the same supermarket.

“One of the suspects, Sunday, had been previously charged to court in 2021 for shoplifting.

“Suspects would be arraigned at the conclusion of investigation.

“The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Abiodun Alabi, fdc commends residents of Lagos State for always promptly alerting the authorities to suspicious person/happenings and sternly warns member of the public to desist from jungle justice as it is a crime in itself”, the statement read.