Police Intensify Crackdown on Crime; Arrest 118 Suspects, Several Arms Recovered in April • ‘No safe haven for criminal elements in Lagos’ – CP Tijani warns
By Oki O. Samson, Trek Africa Newspaper
L-R: AC Admin, ACP Mulero Victoria; DC Admin, DCP Khan Salihu; Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Tijani Fatai; DC State CID, DCP Dayo Akinbisehin during the press briefing at the Lagos Police Command Headquarters Ikeja…
The Lagos State Police Command has recorded a sweeping wave of arrests and recoveries in April 2026, underscoring what authorities describe as a renewed, intelligence-driven offensive against criminality across Nigeria’s commercial capital. From the Lekki corridor to Ikorodu and Lagos Island, coordinated operations by police operatives disrupted networks linked to armed robbery, cultism, kidnapping, and vandalism, signaling a firm resolve to reinforce public safety and restore confidence in law enforcement, National Association of Online Security News Publishers, NAOSNP can report.
Addressing journalists, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Tijani Olayiwola Fatai reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to its constitutional mandate.
“The Lagos State Police Command remains steadfast in its constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property across the State through proactive policing, intelligence-led operations, strategic deployments, and swift response to criminal activities,” he said.
Providing an overview of the Command’s performance, the Commissioner noted that April’s operations yielded significant results. “In line with this commitment, the Command recorded remarkable operational successes within the month of April 2026, resulting in the arrest of numerous criminal suspects involved in armed robbery, cultism, kidnapping, vandalism, unlawful possession of firearms, street violence, and other related offences. These achievements further reaffirm our resolve to rid Lagos State of criminal elements and sustain peace, safety, and public confidence in policing.”
He disclosed that within the period under review: “The Command recorded the arrest of one hundred and eighteen (118) suspects; recovery of eleven (11) locally fabricated Baretta pistols; one locally made cut-to-size pistol; one English Barretta pistol; two (2) dane guns; nine (9) telecom power batteries; four (4) cutlasses; one (1) knife; 21 bags of substances suspected to be India hemp; assorted charms; and other incriminating items.”
Highlighting specific operations, CP Fatai detailed a major raid targeting criminal hideouts: “On April 27, 2026, at about 1830hrs, operatives of the Command in a coordinated operation across Ilasan, Lekki, and Maroko axis, arrested fifty-eight (58) suspects linked to street crimes, traffic robbery, and harassment of residents. The suspects are alleged to have been responsible for phone snatching, armed attacks, and intimidation of innocent members of the public within the Lekki corridor. Several violence items were recovered from them. Investigation is ongoing, and all suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of profiling and investigation.”
The Commissioner of Police, CP Fatai Tijani also disclosed the arrest of suspected kidnappers linked to gruesome killings: “On April 27, 2026, at about 2000hrs, operatives of the Command, acting on credible intelligence, traced and arrested two suspected kidnappers at Lucy Fibre Area, Ikorodu, Lagos. The suspects are Elijah Emmanuel ‘m’, aged 23 years, and Tony Ekwane Oghanetega ‘m’, aged 21 years. Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects are linked to the kidnapping and gruesome murder of one Thomson Omokhafe Adams ‘m’, aged 17 years, which occurred on April 22, 2026. Further interrogation also revealed that the suspects had earlier kidnapped and murdered a female victim on November 30, 2025, during which a ransom of Three Hundred Thousand Naira (₦300,000) was paid by the victim’s family.”
On infrastructure-related crime, he said: “Following credible intelligence from Glo Nigeria on the theft of over 650 power assets between 2025 and 2026, one Orji Emeka ‘m’ was arrested at Ikeja. The suspect confessed and led operatives to Alausa, where one Obiagwu Kingsley ‘m’ was arrested. Further investigation led to the arrest of another syndicate member, Oluwatosin Sani ‘m’, at Gbogbo area of Ikorodu; nine (9) telecom power batteries were recovered.”
Cultism-related operations also featured prominently: “On April 22, 2026, between 0200hrs and 0450hrs, operatives of the Command carried out a crackdown operation on cult-related activities within Iwaya, Lagos. The operation led to the arrest of eight (8) suspected cultists linked to ongoing unlawful society activities within the area. Investigation is currently ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members and uncover further criminal activities connected to the suspects.”
In another swift response to robbery: “On April 28, 2026, at about 0630hrs, information was received that three young men riding on a motorcycle had dispossessed one Chiamaka ‘f’ of her belongings at Ayetoro Bus Stop. Operatives swiftly responded to the scene, leading to the arrest of one Destiny Garuba ‘m’, aged 25 years. Investigation still ongoing to apprehend other suspects.”
The Command also made breakthroughs in a cult-related murder case:
“On April 12, 2026, credible intelligence was received that some unknown persons conspired and murdered one Emmanuel Obioson ‘m’ around Ilasan area of Lagos State. Detectives swung into action, leading to the arrest of suspects including Promise Israel ‘m’, Bright Aniedi ‘m’, Fabulous John ‘m’, Meshack Obili ‘m’, and Owolabi Idris ‘m’. Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects are members of the Aiye Confraternity, while the deceased was identified as a member of the Eiye Confraternity. It was further discovered that one Lukman ‘m’, currently at large, allegedly shot the deceased, while another suspect, Aluge ‘m’, used a stone to smash his head. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.”
Further operations across Lagos Island yielded additional arrests: “On April 20, 2026, at about 1800hrs, operatives arrested twenty (20) suspects linked to various cult-related and armed robbery activities terrorizing Lagos Island. The suspects are alleged members of the Aiye and Eiye Confraternities and are believed to have participated in violent attacks recorded on April 10, 2026. The case will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigation.”
Police also foiled a robbery attempt on Anthony Bridge: “On April 22, 2026, at about 1000hrs, operatives arrested one Umar Muhammad Abubakar Sodiq ‘m’, aged 19 years, in connection with armed robbery. The suspect was found with a short cutlass while attempting to rob an unsuspecting member of the public. Further investigation led to the recovery of two (2) locally fabricated Baretta pistols. The suspect is in custody while the investigation continues.”
Operations in Ajao Estate and Festac also led to arrests: “On April 19, 2026, operatives arrested Emmanuel Ogbu ‘m’ and Obumneke Iromaka ‘m’ at Christine Onyung Street, Ajao Estate. Emmanuel Ogbu confessed to being an ex-convict who returned to cult activities after serving his jail term.”
“On April 27, 2026, operatives of the Festac Division arrested suspects including Bashiru Ajibase ‘m’, Covenant Edet ‘m’, Jireh Essker ‘m’, Akwuobi Emmanuel ‘m’, Akingboju Opeyemi ‘m’, and Dennis Omoniyi ‘m’, who confessed to belonging to a dreaded cult group operating within Festac and its environs.”
On arms trafficking, CP Fatai added:
“Following credible intelligence, two suspects—Mustapha Mohammed ‘m’ and Sanusi Musa ‘m’—were arrested in connection with unlawful possession and attempted sale of firearm. One Beretta pistol was recovered. The suspects mentioned one Umaru Naeem, resident in Kaduna State, as the principal suspect. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend him.”
He further emphasized continued arms recovery efforts:
“During sustained operational engagements and ongoing mop-up of illegal arms, Police operatives recorded notable successes through coordinated intelligence-led operations, recovering locally made pistols and other items believed to have been used for criminal activities. These recoveries underscore the Command’s proactive determination to rid Lagos State of illegal firearms and disrupt criminal networks.”
Concluding, the Police Commissioner, CP Fatai Tijani reassured residents of sustained vigilance: “This successful operation is a clear demonstration of the effectiveness of intelligence gathering and prompt police action. The Command wishes to assure Lagosians that criminal elements will find no safe haven anywhere within the State. We urge members of the public to continue to support the Police with timely and credible information. All suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigation.”
The April operations, authorities say, reflect a deliberate strategy to clamp down on crime hotspots while strengthening preventive policing across Lagos.
