The Lagos State Police Command has announced the arrest of 118 suspects and the recovery of multiple firearms and other incriminating items during a series of operations carried out across the state in April 2026.
Speaking at a press briefing, the Commissioner of Police, Tijani Olayiwola Fatai, said the Command’s sustained intelligence-led policing strategy has significantly disrupted criminal activities, including armed robbery, cultism, kidnapping, and vandalism.
According to him, items recovered during the operations include 11 locally fabricated Beretta pistols, one English Beretta pistol, two Dane guns, nine telecom power batteries, weapons such as cutlasses and a knife, as well as 21 bags of substances suspected to be Indian hemp.
Among the major breakthroughs was a coordinated raid on April 27 in the Ilasan, Lekki, and Maroko areas, where 58 suspects linked to street crimes and traffic robberies were arrested. Police said the suspects had been terrorizing residents through phone snatching and violent attacks.
In a separate operation the same day, two suspected kidnappers were apprehended in Ikorodu in connection with the abduction and murder of a 17-year-old victim. Investigators also linked the suspects to an earlier kidnapping case in 2025 involving a ransom payment of ₦300,000.
The Command also recorded success in tackling infrastructure vandalism, arresting three suspects connected to the theft of telecom equipment following intelligence provided by a telecommunications company.
Cult-related violence remained a major focus during the month, with multiple arrests recorded in Iwaya, Lagos Island, Ajao Estate, and Festac. Police said many of the suspects are affiliated with rival confraternities and were involved in deadly clashes.
In another incident, a 19-year-old suspect was arrested on Anthony Bridge while attempting to rob a commuter. Two locally fabricated pistols were later recovered during follow-up investigations.
The police also intercepted two suspects involved in the illegal sale of firearms, recovering a Beretta pistol and launching efforts to apprehend their alleged supplier based in Kaduna State.
Commissioner Fatai reiterated the Command’s commitment to maintaining public safety, stating that ongoing operations will continue to target criminal networks and illegal arms proliferation.
He urged residents to support law enforcement efforts by providing timely and credible information, assuring that all suspects will be prosecuted upon the conclusion of investigations.
“The Command remains resolute in ensuring that Lagos is safe for all residents. Criminal elements will find no hiding place,” he said.
No comments:
Post a Comment