The Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex in Lagos has recorded a string of major arrests and recoveries over the past three months, including the takedown of a telecommunications vandalism syndicate, the seizure of hundreds of cartons of counterfeit baby cream, and the arrest of a woman accused of faking a pregnancy to extort millions of naira from her fiancé.
The breakthroughs were announced by Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Simeon U. Akpanudom, who heads the Annex, during a press briefing covering operations between March 30 and June 25, 2026.
Akpanudom, who assumed command of the Annex on March 30, said he has prioritised boosting detectives’ investigative skills and rebuilding public trust since taking over. Thirty detectives have been trained in cryptocurrency tracing in partnership with the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos, working with American diplomatic security, regional security and tax officials. Six other personnel completed a separate professional development program funded by the Lagos State Security Trust Fund.
On the infrastructure side, the Annex has been upgrading its facilities, including building a sentry post and photo stand, installing solar lighting, adding new signage, and renovating its holding cells.
Akpanudom said he has also worked to strengthen ties with the community, meeting with traditional rulers, Lagos State’s chief judge, immigration and corrections officials, and hosting visits from foreign diplomats, regulatory agencies, and student and professional associations.
The Annex received 1,762 petitions and complaints during the review period. Of those, 1,725 were sent for investigation, 18 were forwarded to state police commissioners, and 19 went to section heads for comment.
Fifty-six cases have been concluded and taken to court, with the rest still under investigation.
On human trafficking, INTERPOL rescued 45 trafficking victims during the period. Police arrested four trafficking suspects and four others wanted on international watchlists or under Red Notices, with two suspects extradited from abroad and three victims repatriated to Nigeria.
Acting on intelligence about a syndicate targeting telecommunications infrastructure in the Ayobo area of Alimosho, detectives raided the group’s hideout on June 19 at around 2 a.m., arresting three men: Ezekiel Omoloye, 46; Olaoluwa Shuwunmi, 44; and Olaleye Kehinde, 41.
Officers recovered a locally made pistol and a live cartridge, along with tools investigators say were used to strip telecom sites, including a cable cutter, a large wrench, an iron cutter and bundles of rope.
Also seized were solar batteries, solar panels, an electronic memory device, two tricycles and two vehicles, a Toyota Camry and a Toyota Sienna bus.
Police say the equipment links the suspects to a wider pattern of vandalism against telecom and other critical infrastructure across Lagos State. A manhunt is underway for other members of the gang, and the arrested suspects are expected to be arraigned in court.
In a separate case, detectives are investigating the illegal importation and counterfeiting of Baby Secret Cream, a trademarked product, following a complaint from manufacturer Flawless Cosmetics.
Investigators say a warehouse at Balogun Trade Fair Market that had already been flagged in the probe was later broken into, with a large quantity of the suspect goods removed before police could act. Officers subsequently recovered 331 cartons of counterfeit Baby Secret Cream from another warehouse in the market.
Several street vendors allegedly selling the fake product have been arrested and are cooperating with police to locate additional storage sites and identify the operation’s leader, who remains at large.
In a case that touches on both fraud and Nigeria’s abortion laws, police arrested 22-year-old Onyekachi Winner Mmerichukwu after her fiancé, identified only as Mr. Olajide, accused her of falsely claiming to be pregnant to extract money from him.
According to the complaint, Mmerichukwu told Olajide she needed funds for antenatal care and other pregnancy-related costs, ultimately collecting ₦16,170,000 (about sixteen million, one hundred and seventy thousand naira) from him.
Investigators allege the pregnancy, about five months along, was terminated at a private facility in Ajah for personal, non-medical reasons.
Mmerichukwu and a nurse allegedly involved in the procedure have been remanded at Kirikiri Correctional Centre. Police say they are still working to arrest the hospital’s medical director, who they allege carried out the procedure.
Akpanudom thanked Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Rilwan Disu and DIG Margaret Agebe Ochalla, head of the FCID, for their support, and credited members of the public, financial institutions, and other agencies for cooperating with investigators.
He said all suspects would be prosecuted “diligently” once investigations conclude, and reaffirmed the Annex’s commitment to protecting critical infrastructure, fighting economic crimes, and safeguarding intellectual property.
Police are urging residents to continue reporting credible information to help prevent and solve crimes. #Securitynewsalert.com
