By Juliana Francis
The Lagos State Police Command has smashes phone thief gang and recorded a series of arrests and recoveries, including illegal arms possession.
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai, who made this announcement, further disclosed that on April 6, 2026, at about 3:45 a.m., operatives acting on credible intelligence arrested a suspected phone robber identified as Ayoola Solomon in the Iba area.
According to the CP, the suspect had been targeting residents’ mobile phones before his arrest.
“Recovered from the suspect were several mobile phones, including iPhone 14, iPhone XR, iPhone 12 Mini, iPhone X, iPhone 6X, and an Infinix Android phone, all of which he could not account for,” the CP said.
The CP added that the suspect had made a confessional statement, while further investigation is ongoing.
In a related development, detectives arrested a 27-year-old suspected armed robber, Ogundipe Emmanuel, in Egbin Community at about 8:30 a.m. on the same day.
CP Fatai said a search conducted at the point of arrest led to the recovery of a locally made pistol and two live cartridges.
“Findings revealed that the suspect had previously been arraigned in 2025 for conspiracy and stealing, a case still ongoing, with his next court appearance scheduled for April 9, 2026. Despite this, he continued to engage in criminal activities,” the CP stated.
He explained that at about 8:30 p.m. on April 6, operatives stormed a hideout in Oke-Ira, Ogba, where two suspected cultists were arrested and illicit drugs recovered.
“The suspects could not give a satisfactory account of themselves,” Fatai noted, adding that investigations are ongoing.
Similarly, on April 5 at about 2:00 a.m., police responded to a distress call in Ifako-Ijaiye, where suspected cultists were reportedly terrorising residents.
“Two suspects were arrested, and a locally made pistol along with one live round of ammunition was recovered during a search,” Fatai stated.
He further revealed that during coordinated operations and the ongoing gun mop-up exercise across the state, several dangerous items were recovered.
“These include three locally made pistols, four pump-action guns, twenty live cartridges, and three vehicles suspected to have been used for criminal activities,” Fatai disclosed.
Describing the operations as part of proactive measures to curb crime, the police said efforts were ongoing to apprehend other suspects linked to the recovered exhibits.
He said: “The above achievements underscore the Command’s resolve to combat crime and ensure the safety of all residents in Lagos State.
“We appreciate the good people of Lagos State for their cooperation, support, and timely provision of credible information. Members of the public are enjoined to remain vigilant and continue to assist the police.”
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