Police recover suspected human hand, firearms from 21-year-old on Lekki-Epe Expressway

Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested a 21-year-old suspect after recovering a suspected severed human hand, firearms and other incriminating items during a stop-and-search operation along the Lekki-Epe Expressway.

The suspect, identified as Samson Onilewaji, was apprehended after officers intercepted an unregistered commercial shuttle bus carrying six passengers during a routine security operation.

According to a statement issued by the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, officers conducted a search of the vehicle and its occupants, leading to the recovery of a suspected human right hand alongside two locally made pistols, one live cartridge, two axes, a Point of Sale (POS) machine and five ATM cards from different banks.

Police said the suspect was immediately taken into custody for further investigation.

Preliminary investigations revealed that Onilewaji allegedly confessed to robbing three individuals in separate incidents within Lagos. Authorities said the recovered POS terminal and ATM cards have been linked to the reported robberies, while efforts are ongoing to identify the victims and return their belongings.

Investigators are also focusing on the origin of the suspected human hand. The police said forensic and criminal investigations have commenced to determine the identity of the victim, how the body part came into the suspect’s possession, and whether the case is connected to other criminal activities.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Olaiwola Fatai, commended the officers involved in the operation, describing the recovery as evidence of the importance of sustained stop-and-search operations in combating violent crime across the state.

He reiterated the command’s commitment to maintaining a strong security presence on major highways and other strategic locations to protect residents and curb criminal activities.

The police said the suspect remains in custody and will be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations. Authorities added that efforts are underway to identify and apprehend any accomplices linked to the case.