Lagos Police Arrest 47 Suspects, Recover Firearms, Vehicles in Major Crackdown on Crime

Lagos Police Arrest 47 Suspects, Recover Firearms, Vehicles in Major Crackdown on Crime

The Lagos State Police Command has recorded significant operational successes with the arrest of 47 suspects and recovery of firearms, ammunition, and stolen items in a sweeping crackdown on crime across the state.

Commissioner of Police, Tijani Olayiwola Fatai, disclosed this during a press briefing highlighting achievements since assuming office, noting that the breakthroughs were driven by intelligence-led policing and strengthened community collaboration.

According to him, the Command recovered 14 firearms—comprising 10 locally made pistols and four pump-action guns—alongside 96 rounds of 5.2mm ammunition, 29 live cartridges, one expended cartridge, 14 vehicles, two laptops, 29 mobile phones, and other incriminating items.

Fatai also revealed that the Command recorded a hitch-free security operation during the recent Easter celebrations, attributing the success to proactive deployment of personnel and strategic positioning of operational assets across critical locations in Lagos.

A breakdown of key operations showed that police operatives arrested a notorious armed robbery suspect, Jamiu Yahaya, popularly known as “Elesin,” in the Amukoko area, recovering a locally made pistol, live cartridges, and charms from his residence.

In a separate operation, a suspected cultist, Sunday Daniel, was apprehended in Ajegunle with a firearm, while 21 other suspects were arrested at a hotel in Ajao Estate during a cult-related gathering. Items linked to the Aiye confraternity, including branded materials and electronic devices, were recovered.

The Command also foiled a ₦20 million extortion attempt in Ojokoro, leading to the arrest of an 18-year-old suspect, Israel Osanwuta, during a decoy operation. Recovered exhibits included a laptop and flash drive used in the crime.

Police further dismantled a car theft syndicate with the arrest of five suspects and recovery of stolen vehicles, including a Toyota Sienna and Toyota Camry. Additional arrests were made in connection with vehicle vandalisation, unlawful possession of firearms, and robbery incidents across different parts of the state.

In Lekki, operatives arrested suspects linked to the vandalisation of vehicles within a residential estate, recovering multiple luxury vehicles and tools used for the crime. Similarly, a suspected serial fraudster, Robert Smith, was arrested over an alleged ₦130 million fraud involving the acquisition of exotic vehicles valued at over ₦520 million.

Other operations led to the arrest of robbery suspects in Ikotun, Egbeda, Iba, and Egbin, with the recovery of firearms, ammunition, and stolen mobile phones, including high-end devices.

The Commissioner reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to sustained intelligence-driven operations, visibility policing, and community engagement to maintain security across Lagos.

He urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing credible information to the police, assuring that all suspects will be prosecuted upon conclusion of investigations.