LAGOS POLICE ARREST 32 SUSPECTS, RECOVER 43 VEHICLES, FIREARMS, ₦2.5M IN SEPTEMBER CRACKDOWN — CP TIJANI FATAI
By Olayiwola Ibrahim // The Lagos State Police Command has recorded major operational breakthroughs in the month of September 2026, with the arrest of 32 criminal suspects and recovery of firearms, ammunition, stolen vehicles and other incriminating exhibits.
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Tijani Fatai, psc, mnips, disclosed this on Sunday during a press briefing on the Command’s achievements for the month.
CP Fatai said the Command remains steadfast in safeguarding lives and property through proactive policing, intelligence-led operations and swift response to emerging threats, adding that Lagos will continue to be hostile to criminal elements.
According to him, operatives arrested suspects involved in armed robbery, murder, cultism, unlawful possession of firearms, conspiracy, stealing and public disturbance.
Exhibits recovered within the period include:
– 43 vehicles and 2 vehicle keys
– ₦2.5 million cash
– 5 pump-action guns, 5 locally made pistols
– 20 live ammunition/cartridges and 15 expended ammunition
– 2 cutlasses, suspected criminal charms
– Vandalised electrical wires, 1 television set, 1 radiator, 1 car jack and a bag containing vehicle spare parts and tools
HIGHLIGHTS OF CASES:
MURDER OF POLICE OFFICER: On September 26, at about 2:20pm, officers on stop-and-search duty along Olugbede Street, Egbeda, flagged down a Lexus ES 350 with registration number FKJ 223 KX driven by 21-year-old Olumide Olusola.
The driver initially stopped but sped off as Sergeant Johnson Okediji approached, knocking down the officer and dragging him for several metres.
The officer sustained multiple fractures and head injuries and was pronounced dead on arrival at LASUTH.
The suspect has been arrested and the vehicle recovered.
ENFORCEMENT ON COVERED NUMBER PLATES: In an early-morning operation, operatives impounded over 41 vehicles for covered number plates and non-registration.
ARREST OF ARMED ROBBERY SUSPECTS: On September 28, at about 4:00am, patrol officers along Oko Oba Road arrested 32-year-old Ojo Azeez after a chase.
One locally made cut-to-size pistol, radiator, jack, engine block and spare parts were recovered. Also, on September 26, armed men robbed a victim of gold chain and rings at Ghost and Spirit Lounge, Ekoro Road, Abule Egba.
One Ezekiel Sunday Obi, 29, was arrested at Toll Gate, Lagos-Ogun boundary.
CONSPIRACY AND STEALING: Police arrested Ogunbayo Abdulwahib in Idi-Oro, Mushin, in connection with a gang that moved from Idi-Oro to Chevron, Lekki-Ajah to rob residents.
₦2.5 million and three phones were recovered at Muritical Hotel and Suites, Idi-Oro.
CULTISM AND FIREARMS RECOVERY: VCRU operatives arrested Lekan Jimoh (32), Oyepeju Olanrewaju (33) and Olurebi Suleiman (30) in Idi-Oro.
This led to recovery of a pump-action gun and 11 cartridges at Igbogbo, Ikorodu, from Banjo Taiwo (47), and a locally made Beretta pistol with 4 rounds of 9mm ammunition from Ebuka Benedict (26) at Olorunsogo, Mushin.
In a separate operation, Femi Ishola (35) and Daniel Luke (27) were arrested at Ganyigbo Beach Yard for cultism.
12 suspected Eiye cult members aged 23 to 49 were also arrested in Imeke, Badagry, with a Mercedes-Benz, a Lexus car key, Mercedes key, locally made gun and charms recovered. Seven have been charged to court.
OTHER ARRESTS: include Sijuade Alade (53) arrested in Ojo with a locally made pistol, Joshua Benard (27) arrested in Agric, Epe with vandalised electrical wires, six suspected hoodlums arrested along Ejigbo-Idimu Road for looting and destruction of property with 2 cutlasses and a TV set recovered, and Kole Josu (26) arrested in Badagry for unlawful possession of firearm and public disturbance.
In another breakthrough, 15-year-old Taiye Majekodunmi was arrested at Capa, Oshodi, while allegedly transporting firearms concealed inside a loaf of bread on the instruction of one Samuel.
One locally made Beretta pistol, 4 rounds of 9mm ammunition and 2 cut-to-size guns with 11 cartridges were recovered.
CP Fatai commended officers for the breakthroughs, assured that the Command will continue to protect personnel lawfully discharging their duties while holding accountable any officer whose conduct falls short of expected standards, and thanked members of the public for their cooperation.
He stressed that security remains a shared responsibility.
About Author
