17th November, 2021
The Lagos State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, has arrested 12 suspects in connection with the gruesome murder of CSP Kazeem Abonde.
Abonde, the late Operations Officer of the Lagos State Command was killed on 23rd September, 2021 during a raid on criminal hideouts at Ajao Estate, Lagos.
A statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Lagos State Police Command, Adekunle Ajisebutu late Monday said arrest of one Ismaila Abdullahi Haruna, 23 and 11 other suspects was made possible as a result of a four-week intensive but diligent investigation carried out by crack detectives of the Command.
“The suspects, who confessed to the crimes of conspiracy to wit murder, murder, attempted murder and willful damage were arrested in their criminal hideouts in Lagos and Nasarawa States where they were hibernating to evade arrest after the dastardly act.
“During interrogation, the suspects gave a blow-by- blow account of how the brutal attack on the deceased police officer and other injured police officers was carried out and the criminal roles each played. Their arrest was facilitated by credible, actionable intelligence.
“All the suspects will be arraigned at the Yaba Magistrate Court on Wednesday 17th November, 2021,” he said.
Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Hakeem Odumosu, had on 24th September, 2021 vowed to arrest all suspects involved in the attack on the policemen and killing of the deceased officer on the day of the incident.
The Commissioner of Police, while thanking the bereaved family and other members of the public for their patience, understanding and support, has equally vowed to ensure diligent prosecution of the case.
Ajisebutu said the police, therefore, sought further cooperation of members of the public particularly the Command’s strategic partners by giving additional information that could lead to the arrest of other suspects still at large.