The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a 21-year-old suspected armed robber allegedly found in possession of a human hand, firearms and stolen items during a routine stop-and-search operation along the Lekki-Epe Expressway.

The suspect, identified as Samson Onilewaji, was apprehended by police operatives while travelling in an unregistered commercial shuttle bus carrying six occupants.

Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, in a statement said a search of the vehicle and its occupants led to the recovery of a suspected human right hand, two locally made pistols, one live cartridge, two axes, a Point of Sale (POS) terminal machine and five ATM cards from the suspect.

She said preliminary investigations revealed that Onilewaji allegedly participated in a series of robberies and dispossessed victims of their personal belongings.

“The suspect confessed to recently robbing three individuals, from whom the recovered POS terminal and ATM cards were allegedly stolen.

“Efforts were underway to identify and contact the victims for the return of their recovered property.

“Investigators have also launched a separate probe to determine the identity of the owner of the recovered human hand, how it came into the suspect’s possession and its intended use,” she stated.

She added that investigations were still ongoing to identify and apprehend other criminal associates linked to the suspect.

Speaking on the development, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Tijani Fatai, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to combating violent crime and ensuring the safety of residents across the state.

He urged members of the public to remain vigilant and continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to aid crime prevention and law enforcement efforts.

The suspect would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.