Operatives of the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps have apprehended one Godwin, purportedly disguised as mentally disturbed, in possession of 27 SIM cards.
The agency, in a statement viewed by The Intercept on Tuesday, revealed that the suspect, who identified himself as a native of Ughelli Local Government Area in Delta State, had been under observation for over a month.
Following allegations of Godwin’s strange activity from certain residents of Lagos’ Epe neighbourhood, this arrest was made.
According to the LNSC, Godwin reportedly sought refuge at an abandoned security post close to Epe’s T-junction.
He was reportedly routinely spotted making late-night phone calls and covertly changing his clothing every morning.
Following the tip, the Epe command’s agents conducted a normal patrol on Monday and discovered the SIM cards after noticing the suspect momentarily missing from his customary location.
“On May 5, during a routine patrol, officers were informed by residents that the suspect was temporarily absent from the area. Acting swiftly, the patrol team searched the structure and discovered 27 registered SIM cards concealed within a section of a block wall.
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“Officers were immediately dispatched, and Mr Godwin was arrested shortly after his return to the location. During interrogation, he confirmed his identity and background but declined to reveal the location of any mobile phones linked to the SIM cards,” the statement partly read.
According to the statement, a local food vendor confirmed the suspect’s strange behaviour, pointing out that despite his unpredictable lifestyle, he frequently seemed to be in good mental health.
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Oloruntoba Runsewe, the agency’s spokesperson, stated the suspect had been turned over to the police when contacted.
She said, “He is no longer in our custody. He has been handed over to the police for further investigation.”
The state Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the arrest.
He however said, “Our preliminary investigation so far shows that he is a bit mentally unstable and he is homeless and there is no evidence to point to the fact that he is a kidnapper. The claim is for now baseless.”
