Lagos police nab 39 suspects, recover 14 pistols, shotgun, other weapons

Crackdown on Criminal Networks

In a major crackdown on criminal activities across Lagos, the state Police Command has arrested 39 suspects and recovered 14 locally made pistols, a live shotgun, and several other dangerous weapons during intelligence-led operations in August. The operations targeted suspected vandals, armed robbers, and cultists, exposing a growing threat to critical infrastructure.

The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Fatai Tijani, disclosed the results of the operations during a press briefing. He noted that the command also recovered a truck loaded with cartons of packets, one firearm, seven cutlasses, 15 knives, 13 bags of suspected illicit substances, a Point of Sale (POS) machine, and a laptop.

Throughout the month of August, our officers and men across the state have continued to respond swiftly to credible information, carrying out targeted operations and disrupting criminal activities in different parts of the state.

— CP Fatai Tijani, Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command

Protection of Critical Infrastructure

A primary focus of the August operations was the arrest of nine suspects allegedly involved in the vandalism and theft of iron materials from the newly constructed Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway. These arrests followed repeated attacks on the project infrastructure. Detectives have obtained statements from the suspects and are working with relevant authorities to establish the full extent of the syndicate's activities.

In a similar incident, a suspect was apprehended for the alleged theft of government-installed CCTV camera cables and iron materials around the Tiamiyu Bridge. During interrogation, the suspect reportedly confessed to being involved in these activities for several months, specializing in the sale of vandalized copper wires. Operatives also arrested Olamide Suleiman in the same vicinity, who was allegedly found with a concealed locally made pistol and later led police to a double-barrelled gun hidden in a building.

The command will not allow criminals to undermine these development efforts.

— CP Fatai Tijani, Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command

Apprehension of Cultists and Robbery Suspects

The command successfully foiled a suspected cult initiation ceremony in the Ijeshatedo area after receiving intelligence regarding a suspicious gathering of approximately 50 individuals. Police operatives stormed the location and arrested three suspects. Preliminary investigations suggest the gathering was intended to initiate a new member following the death of the group's former leader.

Further operations led to the arrest of six individuals linked to armed robbery, with two locally made pistols recovered from them. Additionally, a trailer driver was taken into custody for the alleged diversion of a vehicle and its cargo. While the driver initially denied involvement, he later claimed to be acting on the instructions of his employer. The police are currently pursuing other suspects who fled the scene during the recovery of the vehicle.

Safeguarding Public Assets

Commissioner Tijani expressed significant concern over the economic impact of vandalism, warning that such acts go beyond ordinary criminality by threatening projects designed to improve transportation and economic connectivity. The command plans to strengthen its collaboration with the Ministry of Works and other government agencies to ensure that major infrastructure projects remain protected from criminal interference.

Every credible piece of information can make a difference in preventing crime and protecting lives and property.

— CP Fatai Tijani, Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command

The briefing was attended by the Federal Controller of Works for Lagos State, Engineer Olufemi Oloyede, underscoring the joint commitment of security agencies and government institutions to safeguard public assets. All 39 suspects remain in custody pending the conclusion of diligent investigations and subsequent prosecution in accordance with the law.