Operatives of the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (FCIID), Alagbon, Ikoyi, Lagos, have arrested two Anambra State community leaders for alleged illegal possession of firearms.
The suspects were alleged to possess automatic pump action guns with bags of cartridges.
Heraldnigeria.com learnt that they were arrested last Tuesday in Anambra State, brought to Lagos and later granted administrative bail by the police.
Detectives were said to have swooped on their houses in the community and one of the suspects allegedly disclosed that the illegal arms and ammunition were stored inside the palace of a chief.
Their arrest, it was learnt, followed a petition to Inspector-General of Police (IG) Ibrahim Idris by concerned stakeholders of the community, who alleged that the suspects were involved in criminal and fraudulent activities.
The petitioners had accused the suspects and others at large of managing unlicensed armed security outfit, imposition of illegal taxes/levies, fraudulent diversion/conversion of community funds, among others.
They alleged that their woes started three years ago when burial levy, building tax, illegal electricity, security and magistratesโ courts levies, as well as compulsory donations, residentsโ levy to non-indigenes and business permits for shops were introduced.
The petitioners alleged that the suspects mobilised armed thugs to attack indigenes/residents and ostracise them for refusing to comply.
โWorse still, the payments were not accounted for, but diverted to private pockets. โWhen the traumatised residents of the community demanded a change in leadership in a free, fair and credible election, the suspect and his gang of terror brought mercenaries and armed militia men into the community, disrupted the process, rigged and manipulated the election in his favour,โ they alleged.
The petitioners claimed that their travails were worsened when they attempted to hold the leader to account for the incomes generated, saying he instead established an unlicensed armed security outfit to silence opposition members.
It was gathered that the IG directed the Special Enquiry Bureau (SEB) to swing into action and they succeeded in arresting the suspects, while others fled the community.
They were alleged to have been granted bail within 24 hours of their arrest, which created tension in the community.
