The Lagos State Police Command has arrested 10 suspected hoodlums in the Langbasa area of Ajah, Ei Osa.

The suspects were said to have been apprehended in different operations carried out by the police in the area over the last few weeks.

A resident, Bukky Ayodeji said that the hoodlums had held the area hostage for a while before they were apprehended, the Punch reports.

She explained that residents of the area dreaded late evening outings because of the activities of the hoodlums, who usually lurked around for their potential victims.

According to Ayodeji, women were more vulnerable as the hoodlums attacked and robbed them of their cash, phones and other valuables, using knives and guns.

She added that at times, they raped some of their female victims, noting that the area had been experiencing calm since the hoodlums were arrested.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Bala Elkana, who confirmed the arrest, said some of the suspects had been charged to court.

He added that those whose cases were still being investigated would be charged to court once their involvement in crimes had been established.

The PPRO added that the Divisional Police Officer of the Langbasa Police Station, Adaobi Okafor, and her team had identified the flashpoints in the area and stationed policemen there permanently.

He stated that patrol vehicles had also been mobilised to the flashpoints and other areas for 24 hours a day with a view to nipping the activities of the hoodlums in the bud.

Elkana added that the police also recovered some knives, toy guns and other dangerous weapons from the hoodlums.

He said, “We posted policemen to where fights normally break out between the two main rival cults, Aiye and Eiye confraternities; the policemen are there permanently.

Our patrol vehicles also move around the area 24 hours a day. Since these new measures have been introduced, we have not been recording cult violence in the area.

“We have charged many of the suspects to court; we will soon charge the others to court once the investigation is concluded. Last week, we arrested three suspects and recovered phones and other items they stole from their victims.”