The Lagos State Police Command had arrested 303 suspects in raids carried out on black spots in the state ahead of the Muslim Eid el-Fitr celebrations.
Lagos State Police Command Public Relations Officer SP Benjamin Hundeyin confirmed the arrests in a statement on Monday.
Hundeyin said that after screening those arrested, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Adegoke Fayoade, directed that the suspects be prosecuted.
“CP Fayoade has ordered the immediate prosecution of 303 suspects arrested over the weekend during raids across the state, after a careful screening process.
“The raids were carried out by Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) and the Rapid Response Squad (RRS),” he said.
According to him, the Lagos Police boss received with concern reports that young men in certain parts of the state seized phones of passersby to extort them.
Hundeyin said that the commissioner had directed all area commanders and DPOs, especially in identified areas, to redouble their security architecture and improve patrol within their areas of responsibility to tackle the emerging menace.
