Nigerian police arrest 750 armed gang members

ABUJA, Nigeria

A total of 750 armed gang members have been arrested in Lagos, Nigeria due to escalating violence in the state, police said Sunday.

Lagos State Police Commissioner Hakeem Odumosu said operations were conducted against armed gangs in 14 districts.

Weapons, drugs and ammunition were seized, said Odumosu, adding items looted during two weeks of protests against police violence in the state were also confiscated.

Those caught will be referred to court, he said.

In Nigeria, troubles that began in 2008 with clashes between herders and farmers turned into kidnappings and robbery attempts beginning in 2015.

Last year, 3,188 people were killed in clashes between armed gangs in the country.

In the scope of Operation Puff Adder conducted between April and July last year, a total of 2,504 gang members were captured and 207 people who were kidnapped for ransom were rescued.

*Writing by Merve Berker