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The Lagos State Police Command has apprehended 47 individuals in coordinated operations across the state, including an 18-year-old who was intercepted while attempting to collect a N20 million ransom.
Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai provided the details during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters in Ikeja on Tuesday, showcasing recovered items from multiple crime scenes.
The arrests are linked to offenses such as armed robbery, cult-related activities, conspiracy, theft, threats to life, and unlawful possession of firearms.
Fatai highlighted that proactive police deployment and close collaboration with other security agencies and residents ensured a peaceful Easter celebration with no major security breaches.
Recovered during the operations were 14 firearms, including 10 locally made guns and four pump-action rifles, 96 rounds of 5.2mm ammunition, 29 live cartridges, a spent cartridge, 14 vehicles, two laptops, 29 mobile phones, and a flash drive.
Details of the 18-year-old suspect, Israel Osanwuta, indicate he was apprehended on March 27 during a decoy operation following a complaint from Ojokoro Local Council Development Area.
He was caught at approximately 10:55 pm while attempting to collect a ransom. A laptop and flash drive were recovered from him, and he admitted involvement in a previous attempted commercial bank burglary.
In a separate operation in Amukoko, Jamiu Yahaya, also known as “Elesin,” was arrested as a suspected armed robber, with a locally made pistol, two live cartridges, and charms recovered.
A 23-year-old suspected cultist, Sunday Daniel, was also detained in Ajegunle with a locally made pistol; he reportedly confessed to membership in the Aiye confraternity.
Fatai further revealed that 21 suspected cultists were arrested during a hotel gathering in Ajao Estate marking the birthday of a wanted gang member known as “Actor,” who remains at large.
Items recovered included a cut-to-size firearm, cult paraphernalia, a laptop, and 23 mobile phones.
In other operations, five members of a car theft syndicate were arrested, with a Toyota Sienna and Toyota Camry recovered.
Three individuals linked to vehicle vandalization were also detained. Additionally, a 52-year-old suspect, Adedayo Bello, was apprehended for allegedly concealing a firearm and 96 rounds of ammunition inside a pillow.
Three suspects linked to vehicle vandalism in a Lekki estate and four others involved in armed robbery in Ikotun and Egbeda were also arrested.
The Command further apprehended a 62-year-old alleged serial fraudster, Robert Smith, accused of defrauding a microfinance bank of N130 million; six vehicles valued at over N520 million were recovered from him.
Other arrests occurred in Iba, Egbin, Ogba, and Ifako-Ijaiye, where suspects linked to robbery, cultism, and drug-related offenses were detained, and additional firearms and illicit substances recovered.
Fatai assured that all suspects would be charged in court following investigations and reiterated the Command’s commitment to combating crime.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing credible intelligence to the police.
Police arrest 47 suspects, seize guns, cars, others in Lagos
