The Lagos State Police Command has announced a string of major operational successes in its fight against crime, with 80 suspects arrested and a wide range of weapons, vehicles, and illicit items recovered in the first week of October.
Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai, speaking at a press briefing, described the achievements as proof of the Command’s determination to keep Lagos safe through intelligence-led policing and swift response to threats.
“These operational successes are a reflection of our continued commitment to proactive crime prevention and effective response to threats against the safety and security of Lagosians,” he said.
The operations cut across different parts of the state, targeting armed robbery gangs, vandals, traffic robbers, fraudsters, and public nuisance offenders.
In Ijora-Badia, police operatives engaged suspected armed robbers in a gun duel after tracing them to a hideout. Two suspects were neutralised, one escaped, and another, Patrick Azure, 26, was arrested. Two Beretta pistols and live ammunition were recovered. CP Fatai explained, “Preliminary investigation indicates that the gang was preparing for an operation before our intervention. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspect and recover additional weapons.”
In another breakthrough, three suspects were arrested in connection with a ₦50 million robbery operation along the Ife Expressway in Osun State.
The suspects, identified as Chubuzor Anasihwe, 31; Uchena Steven, 26; and Ejike Ani, 31, confessed to snatching vehicles and valuables during operations in August and September. A Toyota van was recovered, and police are working to trace other stolen vehicles and weapons.
The Command also cracked down on traffic robbery along the Lekki-Epe axis, arresting 29 suspects accused of dispossessing motorists. CP Fatai noted that the arrests followed sustained efforts to tackle criminal activities targeting commuters.
Fraudulent recruitment schemes were also uncovered in Age-Mowo, where 19 suspects, including two women, were arrested for allegedly luring job seekers with fake employment offers. “Preliminary investigation indicates that the suspects conspired to obtain money by false pretences, causing financial losses to unsuspecting victims,” the Commissioner said.
In Ikorodu, police arrested Adekoya Adekunle, 43, suspected of receiving stolen vehicles from a criminal gang. Four vehicles, including a Lexus RX 330 Jeep and two Toyota Camry models, were recovered along with seven number plates. Adekunle confessed to purchasing one of the vehicles for ₦3.5 million in Cotonou.
Other arrests included nine vandals along Coastal Road, 14 suspected thugs in Maroko, and a gang leader, Muhammad Garuba Alabi, accused of assaulting a Nigerian Army officer and his family in Itire. The officer and his wife were allegedly attacked and robbed of ₦300,000, with their vehicle vandalised.
In Ikeja, police arrested Emmanuel Amadi, 28, for allegedly drugging a female victim with a substance mixed in juice before stealing her phones worth over ₦3 million. The phones were recovered at his residence.
Three suspects were also arrested for armed robbery and phone-snatching incidents at Westminster and Marine Bridge, while another suspect, Christopher Inyiekwe, was apprehended for stealing a Toyota Corolla from his uncle in Enugu and attempting to sell it in Lagos.
Police raids across the state led to the recovery of illicit drugs, cutlasses, battle axes, and other weapons. CP Fatai emphasised that these recoveries highlight the Command’s proactive approach to disrupting criminal activities.
Overall, the Command recovered six vehicles, 12 pistols, four rounds of live ammunition, seven number plates, six mobile phones, vandalised iron materials and wires, six battle axes, four cutlasses, a toy gun, and five sacks of illicit drugs.
The Commissioner commended his officers for their professionalism and courage and appreciated the public’s cooperation.
“We will continue to dismantle organised criminal networks and protect critical infrastructure across the State. Timely and credible information from the public remains invaluable to our operations,” he said.
This sweeping crackdown underscores the Lagos Police Command’s resolve to deny criminal elements the freedom to operate, ensuring that residents, commuters, and businesses can thrive in a safer environment.
