LASTMA Arrests Six “One-Chance” Suspects, Recovers 77 Stolen Phones and POS Machines in Ijora, Lagos

 LASTMA Arrests Six “One-Chance” Suspects, Recovers 77 Stolen Phones and POS Machines in Ijora, Lagos

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has arrested six suspected members of a notorious “one-chance” syndicate operating under the Ijora Bridge in Lagos. The operation, which took place on Thursday, October 23, 2025, also led to the recovery of 77 stolen mobile phones, two Point-of-Sale (POS) machines, multiple wristwatches, and other personal belongings allegedly taken from unsuspecting commuters.

The enforcement exercise was part of a broader inter-agency operation aimed at dismantling illegal garages, clearing unauthorized shanties, and dislodging criminal hideouts along the Apapa Road, Costain, and Ijora corridors.

Led by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Hon. Sola Giwa, the operation involved operatives from the Nigeria Police Force, Mobile Police (MOPOL), Lagos State Task Force, Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), and the Nigerian Army.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the Ijora under-bridge area had long served as a haven for criminals, illegal traders, and “one-chance” syndicates notorious for robbing and assaulting passengers. The area was also discovered to be a storage hub for stolen goods and other illicit items.

During the cleanup, enforcement officials also confiscated several kegs of adulterated diesel and over 150 packs of expired plantain chips and Cheese Balls stored in unhygienic conditions, posing risks to public health. More than 120 illegal shanties, including makeshift structures built around St. Peter’s Catholic Nursery and Primary School, Apapa Road, were demolished to reclaim the area and restore environmental order.

Speaking during the operation, Hon. Giwa reaffirmed the Lagos State Government’s commitment to maintaining safety, orderliness, and environmental cleanliness across the metropolis. He stressed that the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu would not tolerate the occupation of public infrastructure or the use of such spaces as criminal enclaves.

“The government will continue to sustain these operations until all bridges and public spaces are fully reclaimed from miscreants and illegal occupants,” Giwa stated.

Also commenting, the General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, commended the synergy among participating agencies, describing the exercise as a model of effective inter-agency collaboration. He noted that LASTMA’s responsibility extends beyond traffic management to include ensuring safety and security across transport corridors in Lagos.

He urged Lagos residents to remain vigilant, promptly report suspicious activities, and support ongoing government efforts to make the city safer and more livable.

The six suspects arrested during the operation were identified as Adetunji Bashiru (28), Sulaiman Kada (35), Abubakar Bala (42), Abubakar Ahmed (28), Rasaq Gbadamosi (21), and Ibrahim Yakub (23).

According to LASTMA, the suspects will be handed over to appropriate law enforcement authorities for further investigation and prosecution.

— Adebayo Taofiq
Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, LASTMA