LAGOS POLICE PARADE RECORD GAINS, WITH 10 ARRESTED, KIDNAP PLOT FOILED, ONE BILLION NAIRA THEFT CRACKED
By Olayiwiola Ibrahim // Lagos // The Lagos State Police Command on Thursday reaffirmed its commitment to proactive, intelligence led policing as it paraded major operational breakthroughs recorded in May 2026, including the foiling of a high-profile kidnap attempt, the arrest of 10 suspects, and the recovery of arms, stolen vehicles, and cash linked to criminal activities.
Addressing journalists, Commissioner of Police CP Tijani Fatai, psc, mnips, said the Command’s strategy of “strategic crime prevention and swift operational response” yielded results against armed robbery, cultism, vehicle theft, conspiracy, and unlawful possession of firearms across the state.
Key recoveries for May include:
1 double-barrel pump action gun
3 AK-47 rifles, 2 SMG rifles
1 revolver, 1 short pistol, 1 fabricated pistol, 3 locally made pistols
6 magazines, 42 live rounds of ammunition
1 dummy gun, 1 TVS motorcycle, 1 axe, and other weapons
Major cases highlighted:
Kidnap Plot Foiled, 4 Suspects Killed in Ejigbo On May 24 at about 9:30 p.m., operatives acting on credible intelligence foiled a kidnap attempt targeting a businessman at Jakande Estate Gate, Ejigbo.
Police said the gang, known for targeting wealthy individuals in Lagos, opened fire on sighting operatives.
Four suspects were killed in the exchange, while one escaped with gunshot wounds.
Recovered items: 1 Toyota Sienna, 1 AK-47 with 25 rounds, 1 SMG with 12 rounds, and keys to a Toyota Corolla and a Lexus.
A police inspector sustained gunshot wounds to his left leg and is responding to treatment.
CP Fatai revealed the gang was allegedly trained by one Ifeanyi ‘m’, alias Ifeko, who also mentored Henry Asoona, leader of the billionaire kidnappers neutralized at Ladipo Market in 2024.
Ifeanyi, reportedly based abroad, had returned to Lagos to execute the plot.
In another dimension, a Suspect Arrested in Delta, on N1b PMS theft with N300m Recovered so far.
Following a petition by MEA Energy, operatives tracked and arrested Chibuzor Mogbo, 38, in Delta State over the alleged theft of Premium Motor Spirit valued at N1,028,825,520.
Mogbo confessed and led police to cash and assets worth over N300 million linked to the crime. His accomplice, Jessica Anyincha, remains at large.
Staged Kidnap Busted, N490,000 Recovered
On May 19, police uncovered a self-kidnap scheme after Abubakar reported his brother, Adamu Abdullahi, missing.
A video later showed Abdullahi being beaten, with a N1.5 million ransom demand sent to his employer.
Investigators noted inconsistencies in the video and, upon interrogation, Abdullahi confessed to staging the kidnap with Adelowo Akorede, 35, Yusuf Lukman, 39, and another suspect still at large.
The group intended to defraud his employer, Lawal Abubakar, who regularly gave Abdullahi funds for scrap iron deals, while N490,000 earlier diverted by Abdullahi was recovered.
Vehicle Theft, Cultism, Armed Robbery Cases in Ibadan Arrest, Akintayo Wasiu, 57, was arrested on May 24 in Ibadan with a stolen Toyota Hiace bus.
The suspect, hired as a driver, allegedly changed the vehicle documents and his phone number to evade arrest.
Cult Leader’s Cache: On May 23, police raided the Igando home of Waliu Olaleye, 31, a suspected Aiye confraternity leader, and recovered a locally made double-barrel pistol hidden in his ceiling.
Shasha Stop-and-Search: On May 18, Ejiro Abiriofor was intercepted on Fakoya Street, Shasha, with a Taiwanese-made revolver loaded with four rounds and a knife.
His Toyota Corolla was impounded.
Bariga Vandals, Two men, Achepa Solomon and mechanic Ihezie Francis, were caught on May 25 at 11:00 p.m. attempting to steal a Toyota Sienna on Arobadade Street, Bariga. A Honda i-VTEC, ABC 775 LD, was recovered.
Ikola Robbers Flee: On May 24 at 2:00 a.m., three suspects on a TVS motorcycle, EKY 732 QP, abandoned the bike and fled when sighted by police. A locally fabricated Beretta pistol was found on the motorcycle.
CP Fatai emphasized that there would be no hidding Place for Criminals.
The Commissioner stressed that ongoing mop-up operations for illegal arms and surveillance patrols led to additional recoveries of locally made pistols and other weapons across various divisions.
These successes underscore the effectiveness of intelligence-led policing.
There will be no hiding place for criminal elements in Lagos,” CP Fatai said.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and provide timely, credible information via the Command’s emergency lines: 07061019374, 08065154338, 08063299264, 08039344870, and 09168630929.
All suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations, the Command added.
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