Taiwo Jimoh

Police in Lagos have arrested a physically-challenged beggar, Godwin Fawehinmi, for allegedly being in possession of different types of guns.

The suspect was arrested by detectives attached to Area M Police Command, Idimu, Egbeda area of the state at the weekend.

The suspect, who is crippled, it was learnt, usually begs for alms on the street on a daily basis. However, it came to many as a surprise when a gun was recovered from him.

After a thorough search of his bag, a locally-made gun was discovered in it.

Thereafter, several guns, according to the police, were discovered in Fawehinmi’s house at Alhaji Sadiku Street, Akowonjo, Egbeda.

During interrogation, the suspect was said to have declined to mention the source and his mission with the guns.

A source said some residents of the area where the man usually sits to beg for alms, noticed different people that visit him on a daily basis look suspicious. That was why they informed the police, the source added.

A police source said Fawehinmi might be keeping the gun for some armed robbers and pretended to be a beggar.

The source, however, said the suspect had been transferred to Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) office, Ikeja at the state Police Command Headquarters for further investigation.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Chike Oti, confirmed Fawehinmi’s arrest.

He said: “The crippled was arrested based on credible information available to the Commissioner of Police, Imohinmi Edgal, who now ordered that the man mentioned in the intelligence report be arrested.

“The operatives of the command went after him, conducted search in his house and premises and recovered different types of guns, axes, machetes and other weapons. Investigation is still on-going.”