Lagos Police Arrest 39 Suspects, Recover Firearms, Weapons Over Coastal Road, Third Mainland Bridge Vandalism
The Lagos State Police Command has arrested 39 suspects and recovered firearms, ammunition, dangerous weapons, suspected Indian hemp and other exhibits in a series of intelligence-led operations conducted across the state in August 2026.
Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Tijani Olayiwola Fatai, disclosed this during a press briefing on the command’s operational achievements in August, stressing that the police would not allow criminal elements to undermine critical infrastructure and major developmental projects in the state.
Among the major operations was the arrest of 10 suspects allegedly linked to the repeated vandalism of the newly constructed Lagos Coastal Road infrastructure.
According to the Commissioner, the suspects were arrested on August 17, 2026, following intelligence gathered during investigations into the vandalism of the project.
The suspects were identified as Courage Ogbemudiah, 19; Michael Janes, 25; Muhammed Mustapha, 25; Muyideen Ola, 32; Emmanuel James, 18; Tadious Nanius, 28; Anthony Nucase, 23; Makinde Muize, 30; Bolaji Raji, 30; and Waliu Kabiru, 28.
Vandalised iron materials were recovered during the operation, while preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects were allegedly connected with the repeated destruction and theft of materials from the coastal road infrastructure.
The Commissioner said the suspects had made statements concerning their alleged involvement, adding that investigations were ongoing in collaboration with relevant authorities.
Third Mainland Bridge vandalism
The command also arrested a 28-year-old man, Chidiebere Ochiri, over the alleged vandalism and theft of government-installed CCTV camera cables, iron materials and other infrastructure on the Third Mainland Bridge.
Fatai said the suspect allegedly confessed to vandalising and carting away cables connecting CCTV cameras and iron materials installed along the bridge and its environs.
According to the police, the suspect claimed to have been involved in the activity for several months and allegedly sold vandalised copper wires to scavengers and scrap dealers for about ₦12,000 per kilogramme.
A quantity of copper wire was recovered as an exhibit, while efforts are ongoing to arrest the suspect’s alleged accomplices and identify scrap dealers allegedly receiving the stolen materials.
The Commissioner described the vandalism of the Third Mainland Bridge and Coastal Road as particularly disturbing because such criminal activities could cause significant economic losses and undermine infrastructure designed to improve transportation, connectivity and economic activities.
Police recover firearms, arrest suspected robbers and cultists
In another operation, police operatives conducting stop-and-search activities in the Aguda area arrested 22-year-old Olamide Suleiman, who was allegedly found with a substance suspected to be Indian hemp.
A subsequent search of his bag at the police station led to the recovery of a locally made pistol and a cartridge.
The suspect reportedly led the police to a hotel where a man identified as Emir was lodged. Operatives subsequently recovered a double-barrel firearm from the room allegedly occupied by him.
The police said efforts were ongoing to apprehend Emir and other members of the suspected gang.
Similarly, on August 18, operatives arrested 35-year-old Ibrahim Abidogun, popularly known as “Shifon”, over alleged involvement in the activities of the Aiye Confraternity.
A locally made pistol was recovered during a search of his residence.
At a separate operation at a dumpsite in Isolo, two suspected cultists, Sodiq Omotunde, 33, and Adeyemo Bilyaminu, 28, were arrested following intelligence about the activities of suspected cult members. A locally made single-barrel pistol was recovered.
The command also arrested four suspected cultists following a distress call concerning the gathering of about 50 persons at Ijeshatedo.
The suspects—Segun Hammed, 38; Adebite Afeez, 33; Daniel Olawale, 42; and Kazeem Babatunde, 43—were allegedly linked to the Eiye Confraternity.
Two cutlasses and a battle axe were recovered during the operation.
The police said preliminary investigation indicated that Hammed had recently assumed leadership of the group following an alleged transfer of leadership from Babatunde in March 2026.
Trailer driver arrested over alleged diversion of goods
The command also arrested a trailer driver, Amisu Isah, following intelligence that a trailer loaded with goods had been parked in front of a church in Egbeda, where mini-trucks were allegedly being used to evacuate the goods.
Police operatives deployed to the location confirmed the report and arrested the driver.
However, a second truck into which some of the goods had reportedly been transloaded fled the scene with other suspects.
An Acura SUV allegedly used by one of the fleeing suspects was recovered, while a search of the trailer led to the discovery of cartons of spaghetti.
Further intelligence-led investigation resulted in the arrest of another suspect identified as Emmanuel.
The command said investigations were ongoing to establish the ownership and destination of the goods, identify other suspects and recover the remaining items.
Two suspected armed robbers arrested
The police also arrested two suspects, Hammed Oniyi, 25, and Qudus Lawal, 19, following intelligence that Oniyi was allegedly in possession of firearms and using them to rob residents.
Two locally made single-barrel pistols were recovered during the operation.
Preliminary investigation allegedly linked Oniyi to the Aiye Confraternity, while police said the firearm was reportedly given to him by a suspect currently at large.
The command said efforts were ongoing to arrest other suspects connected with the case, adding that the matter would be charged to court after the conclusion of investigations.
39 suspects arrested, dangerous exhibits recovered
The Commissioner said the various operations conducted across the state resulted in the arrest of 39 suspects and the recovery of several exhibits, including vandalised iron materials and cables, a truck loaded with cartons of spaghetti, one double-barrel long gun, 14 locally made pistols, one live cartridge, seven cutlasses, 16 knives, 13 bags of substances suspected to be Indian hemp, a POS machine, assorted charms and a laptop.
Fatai said the recoveries reflected the command’s sustained efforts to dismantle criminal networks through intelligence gathering, targeted operations, surveillance, stop-and-search activities and prompt responses to credible information.
He commended officers and men of the command, as well as residents, community leaders, government agencies and other stakeholders whose information had supported the operations.
The Commissioner also welcomed the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Engr. Olufemi Dare, to the briefing, describing his presence as a demonstration of the importance of inter-agency collaboration in protecting critical infrastructure.
He assured residents that the command would continue to work with the Ministry of Works, the Federal Controller of Works and other relevant stakeholders to strengthen security around major developmental projects.
“Lagos will not be a safe haven for criminals,” the Commissioner said, warning that the command would continue to identify, disrupt and dismantle criminal operations involving vandalism, robbery, stealing, cultism, kidnapping and other offences.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to the police, stressing that credible information could make a significant difference in preventing crime and protecting lives and property.
Fatai added that all suspects would undergo diligent investigations and that those found culpable would be prosecuted in accordance with the law, while their fundamental rights would be respected.
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