More than ten thousand operatives of the Lagos State Police Command have been deployed across strategic locations to ensure security during the Sallah holiday.

Our Correspondent reports that the deployment was part of efforts to strengthen visibility policing, prevent crime and ensure public safety during and after the festive period.

Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai said this during a news briefing on the Command’s operational achievements for the month at the command headquarters in Ikeja.

He said the Command remained “resolute and unwavering” in its commitment to protecting lives and property through intelligence-led policing and proactive crime prevention strategies.

According to him, intensified operations in identified crime-prone areas have led to the arrest of several suspects.

Fatai assured residents that the command was prepared to tackle any security challenge, especially as Lagos witnesses increased human and vehicular traffic during the holidays.

He said officers had already been deployed to places of worship, highways and other public spaces to maintain law and order.

The commissioner added that contingency measures had been put in place to prevent security breaches during and after the celebrations.

He urged residents to remain vigilant and support security agencies with timely information, stressing that effective policing requires cooperation between the police and the public.

The Police Commissioner said the Command recovered over ₦300 millions linked to alleged criminal activities and seized several firearms and ammunition during a series of operations carried out across the state in May 2026.

Fatai said operatives arrested ten suspects involved in offences ranging from kidnapping, armed robbery and cultism to vehicle theft, conspiracy and stealing.

Among the items recovered were three AK-47 rifles, two SMGs, one revolver pistol, one fabricated pistol, three locally made pistols, six magazines and forty-two rounds of live ammunition.

The Police Boss said one of the major breakthroughs was the arrest of Chibuzor Mogbo in Delta State over the alleged theft of Premium Motor Spirit valued at more than ₦1 billion belonging to MEA Energy.

He said the suspect confessed during interrogation, leading to the recovery of cash and properties worth over ₦300 million connected to the crime.

He disclosed that the Command also foiled a kidnap attempt in Ejigbo on May 24 after operatives acted on intelligence regarding a gang allegedly targeting a businessman.

CP Fatai said four suspected kidnappers were neutralised during a gun battle, while one suspect escaped with gunshot injuries. 

He added that a Toyota Sienna vehicle, an AK-47 rifle, an SMG rifle and live ammunition were recovered from the scene.

In another operation, the state police boss said men of the command arrested a suspected vehicle thief, Akintayo Wasiu, in Ibadan, Oyo State, after allegedly stealing a Toyota Hiace bus belonging to his employer and altering the vehicle documents.

“Operatives also recovered a locally made double-barrel pistol from the residence of an alleged cult leader, Waliu Olaleye, in Igando”, he said.

The Commissioner said the  Command further uncovered an alleged staged kidnapping involving a scrap dealer, Adamu Abdullahi, who reportedly collaborated with accomplices to extort money from his employer.

Other arrests included suspected car vandals in Bariga and a suspect caught with a revolver pistol and live ammunition during stop-and-search operations in Shasha.

CP Fatai said the Command would continue intelligence-led operations and proactive policing strategies aimed at strengthening security and protecting lives and property across Lagos State.

He revealed that the gang leader, identified simply as Ifeanyi, alias “Ifeko,” was allegedly linked to a notorious kidnapping network and reportedly trained Henry Asoona, described as the leader of the billionaire kidnappers earlier neutralised at Ladipo International Spare Parts Market in 2024.

Items recovered from the scene included a Toyota Sienna vehicle, an AK-47 rifle with magazines and live ammunition, an SMG rifle, and vehicle keys suspected to belong to intended victims.

One police inspector sustained gunshot injuries during the exchange and is currently receiving treatment.

The Commissioner said the Command also arrested a 57-year-old driver, Akintayo Wasiu, in Ibadan for allegedly stealing a Toyota Hiace bus belonging to his employer, changing the vehicle documents and switching phone numbers to evade arrest. The suspect reportedly confessed during interrogation.

In another operation, operatives recovered a locally-made double-barrel pistol from the residence of an alleged leader of the Aiye cult group in Igando following intelligence-led raids targeting cult-related activities.

The Command also announced the arrest of a suspect linked to the alleged theft of Premium Motor Spirit valued at over ₦1 billion belonging to MEA Energy.

Police said one of the principal suspects, Chibuzor Mogbo, was tracked and arrested in Delta State after fleeing Lagos.

Cash and properties worth more than ₦300 million were reportedly recovered during the operation, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend a female accomplice said to be on the run.

Fatai further disclosed that detectives uncovered a staged kidnap plot involving a scrap iron dealer and his accomplices who allegedly attempted to extort ₦1.5 million from the victim’s employer using a fake torture video.

The suspects later confessed after investigators noticed inconsistencies in the video evidence.

Police recovered ₦490,000 allegedly diverted by the suspect for personal use.

The Command also arrested two suspected car vandals in Bariga and recovered a Honda saloon car linked to the suspects.

In a separate stop-and-search operation in Shasha, operatives intercepted a suspected armed robber in possession of a Taiwanese-made revolver pistol, live ammunition and a knife.

Police operatives equally recovered a locally-fabricated Beretta pistol abandoned by fleeing hoodlums who escaped on a motorcycle after attempting to rob residents in Ikola area of Lagos.

Overall, the Command said it arrested 10 suspects during the month under review and recovered several dangerous weapons, including AK-47 rifles, SMGs, revolvers, fabricated pistols, magazines, ammunition, axes and other items linked to criminal activities.

Fatai assured Lagos residents that the Command would sustain aggressive intelligence-driven policing and urged the public to continue supporting the police with timely information capable of preventing crime and aiding investigations.

“All suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations,” the Commissioner stated.

PRESS BRIEFING BY THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, LAGOS STATE COMMAND, CP TIJANI FATAI, psc, mnips, ON ACHIEVEMENTS RECORDED FOR THE MONTH OF MAY, 2026.

Gentlemen of the Press,
The Lagos State Police Command remains resolute and unwavering in its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all residents of Lagos State through proactive policing, intelligence-led operations, strategic crime prevention mechanisms, and swift operational responses to criminal activities across the State.

In line with this mandate, the Command recorded significant operational breakthroughs within the month of May 2026, resulting in the foiling of kidnapping attempts, arrest of criminal suspects involved in armed robbery, cultism, stealing, conspiracy, and unlawful possession of firearms, as well as the recovery of arms, ammunition, stolen vehicles, and large sum of money linked to criminal activities.

These operational achievements further demonstrate the Command’s determination to rid Lagos State of criminal elements and sustain public confidence in policing.
Within the period under review, the command arrested ten (10) suspects and the following exhibits;

• Double barrel pump action.

• Three (3) AK47 and two SMG 

• One (1) revolver and short pistol

• One (1) fabricated pistol
• Three (3) locally made pistol 

• Six (6) magazines

• Forty-two (42) live ammunitions

• One dummy gun 

• One TVS motorcycle

• One axe 

• Other items used as weapons

Below is a summary of some of the major cases recorded during the period under review:

1. FOILED KIDNAP ATTEMPT, NEUTRALIZATION OF FOUR SUSPECTS, AND RECOVERY OF ARMS AND AMMUNITION

On May 24, 2026, at about 2130hrs, following credible intelligence received and monitored by operatives of the Command foiled a kidnap attempt by a nefarious kidnapping gang on a businessman at Jakande Estate Gate, Ejigbo Area of Lagos. This dreaded group specializes in targeting wealthy businessmen and arrives in Lagos in order to carry out heinous crimes on unsuspected persons. 

On the strength of the information received, operatives mine monitored the intelligence dutifully. The gang was going to strike and a popular business owner. Additional information has it that, the gang leader of this group named Ifeanyi “m” a.k.a Ifeko was the one who trained one Henry Asoona

“m” the gang leader of the billionaire kidnappers that were earlier neutralized in Ladipo International Spare Parts Market in Lagos in 2024. Ifeanyi “m” a.k.a Ifeco is also said to be based abroad and came down to Lagos to perpetrate this act in Lagos. Based on the foregoing, operatives mine swung into action and moved to the scene, and the gang on sighting the police opened fire and engaged the operatives in a gun duel. The operatives responded with superior firepower, leading to the neutralization of four members of the gang, while one suspect escaped with bullet wounds. The exhibits recovered from the scene include:

• One Toyota Sienna vehicle
• One AK-47 rifle with two magazines and twenty-five (25) rounds of live ammunition

• One SMG rifle with one magazine loaded with twelve (12) rounds of live ammunition

• One Toyota Corolla key

• One Lexus vehicle key
Meanwhile, an Inspector of Police sustained gunshot injury on his left leg during the exchange of fire and was immediately rushed to the hospital, where he is currently responding to treatment. Investigation is ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspect and other accomplices connected to the gang.

2. ARREST OF SUSPECTED VEHICLE THIEF AND RECOVERY OF STOLEN TOYOTA HIACE BUS

On May 24, 2026, at about 0530hrs, operatives of the Command arrested one Akintayo Wasiu ‘m’, aged 57 years, in Ibadan, Oyo State, and in possession of a stolen Toyota Hiace Space Bus. Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect, who was employed as the driver of the vehicle, allegedly stole the bus, relocated to Ibadan, changed the vehicle documents, and also changed his phone number in an attempt to evade arrest.

Following intensive tracking and investigation, the suspect was apprehended in Ibadan with the stolen vehicle in his possession. During interrogation, the suspect confessed to the crime.

3. RECOVERY OF FIREARM FROM SUSPECTED CULT LEADER

On May 23, 2026, operatives of the Command, acting on intelligence and in follow-up to an ongoing cultism investigation, stormed a criminal hideout, resident of one Waliu Olaleye ‘m’, aged 31 years, an alleged principal leader of the aiye confraternity group from Igando area of the State. During a search conducted at his residence there in Igando, operatives recovered one locally made double-barrel pistol concealed inside the ceiling of the apartment. The suspect made useful statements assisting ongoing investigation, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend fleeing members of the gang.

4. ARREST OF SUSPECT IN CASE OF CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY AND STEALING OF PMS VALUED AT OVER N1 BILLION

Following complaint of a case involving conspiracy and stealing of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) valued at One Billion, Twenty-Eight Million, Eight Hundred and Twenty-Five Thousand, Five Hundred and Twenty Naira

(₦1,028,825,520) reported by MEA Energy against one Chibuzor Mogbo ‘m’ and one Jessica Anyincha ‘f’, operatives of the Command commenced discreet investigation aided by technical support and intelligence gathering. After twelve days of intensive investigation and follow-up operations, one of the principal suspects, Chibuzor Mogbo ‘m’, aged 38 years, was arrested in Delta State, where he fled to. During interrogation, the suspect confessed to the crime and subsequently led operatives to the recovery of cash and properties worth over Three Hundred Million Naira linked to the criminal act. Efforts are ongoing to arrest the second suspect, Jessica Anyincha ‘f’, who is currently at large.

5. ARREST OF SUSPECTS OVER ARRANGED SELF-KIDNAPPING AND RECOVERY OF MONEY

On May 19, 2026, at about 2200hrs, one Abubakar ‘m’ reported at the Police Station that his brother, Adamu Abdullahi ‘m’, a scrap iron dealer, was missing and could not be located. During investigation, a video later surfaced showing the purported victim being beaten with planks and threatened with death if a ransom of One Million Five Hundred Thousand Naira (₦1,500,000) was not paid by his employer. However, upon careful analysis of the video and subsequent investigation, detectives observed inconsistencies, as there were no visible signs of physical assault on the alleged victim after his return home. The suspect was subjected to further interrogation and eventually confessed that the kidnapping was staged in collaboration with one Adelowo Olalekan Akorede ‘m’, aged 35 years, one Yusuf Lukman ‘m’, aged 39 years, and another accomplice currently at large. Investigation further revealed that the suspects intended to fraudulently obtain money from the victim’s employer, one Lawal Abubakar ‘m’, who regularly entrusted him with funds for scrap iron business transactions. The suspect also confessed that the sum of Four Hundred and Ninety Thousand Naira (₦490,000) previously entrusted to him for business purposes had been diverted. The said amount was recovered, while the workshop used for recording the fake kidnapping video was visited during the investigation. Efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing accomplice.

6. ARREST OF SUSPECTED CAR VANDALS AND RECOVERY OF VEHICLE
On May 25, 2026, at about 2300hrs, operatives of the Command responded to a distress call received from members of the public at Odunsi Street, Bariga, Lagos, reporting that two suspicious men were sighted at Arobadade Street, Bariga, attempting to remove a Toyota Sienna vehicle from where it was parked. Based on the report, Police operatives swiftly mobilized to the scene, leading to the arrest of one Achepa Solomon ‘m’ of no fixed address and one Ihezie Francis ‘m’, a mechanic by profession, resident of Oworonshoki, Lagos. Further investigation led to the recovery of one Honda i-VTEC saloon car with registration number ABC 775 LD from the suspects.

The suspects are currently in Police custody, and the case will be charged to court on completion of investigations 

7.ARREST OF SUSPECTED ARMED ROBBER; RECOVERY OF FIREARM, AMMUNITION AND VEHICLE

On May 18, 2026 at about 1205hrs, operatives of the Command while on routine stop and search duty along Fakoya Street, Shasha intercepted a Toyota Corolla with registration number FST 542 GY driven by one Ejiro Abiriofor ‘M’. Upon search conducted on the suspect and the vehicle, one Taiwanese-made revolver pistol loaded with four live ammunition and one knife recovered. The Toyota Corolla vehicle was also recovered as exhibit. 

7. RECOVERY OF LOCALLY FABRICATED BERETTA PISTOL FROM FLEEING HOODLUMS

On May 24, 2026, at about 0200hrs, operatives responded to reports of hoodlums on a motorcycle robbing residents within Ikola and its environs. On sighting them, the three suspects riding on a TVS motorcycle with registration number EKY 732 QP fled the scene, abandoning the motorcycle. A search conducted on the motorcycle led to the recovery of one locally fabricated Beretta pistol concealed on it. Efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects.

8. RECOVERY OF FIREARMS, AMMUNITION, AND OTHER INCRIMINATION OBJECTS

In continuation of the Command’s sustained operational engagements and ongoing mop-up of illegal arms, Police operatives across various formations recorded notable successes through coordinated intelligence-led operations, stop and search, and surveillance patrols.  During the operations, the following exhibits were recovered: locally made pistols and other items believed to have been used for criminal activities.

These recoveries further underscore the Command’s proactive determination to rid Lagos State of illegal firearms, disrupt criminal networks, and enhance public safety. Investigation is ongoing to apprehend other suspects connected with the recovered exhibits and ensure they are brought to justice. These recoveries further demonstrate the Command’s determination to dismantle criminal networks and strengthen public safety across Lagos State.

CONCLUSION

Gentlemen of the Press,

The successes recorded by the Lagos State Police Command within the month of May further underscore the effectiveness of intelligence-led policing, proactive crime prevention strategies, and the unwavering commitment of officers and men of the Command towards safeguarding lives and property across Lagos State.

The Command wishes to assure all Lagosians that there will be no hiding place for criminal elements within the state. We therefore encourage members of the public to continue supporting the Police with timely and credible information that will aid crime prevention, prompt response, and effective law enforcement.

All suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations. Thank you.