The Lagos State Police Command has announced the arrest of 118 suspects and the recovery of firearms, illicit drugs, and other incriminating items in a series of operations carried out across the state in April 2026.
The Commissioner of Police, Tijani Olayiwola Fatai, disclosed this during a press briefing on the Command’s achievements for the month, noting that the successes were driven by intelligence-led operations and proactive policing strategies.
According to him, items recovered during the period include 11 locally fabricated Beretta pistols, one English-made Beretta pistol, one cut-to-size pistol, two dane guns, nine telecom power batteries, four cutlasses, one knife, 21 bags of substances suspected to be Indian hemp, and assorted charms.
Fatai said the Command remained committed to protecting lives and property, adding that the operations targeted crimes such as armed robbery, cultism, kidnapping, vandalism, and street violence.
Highlighting some of the major cases, the police boss said operatives arrested 58 suspected street criminals during coordinated raids in Ilasan, Lekki, and Maroko areas on April 27. The suspects were allegedly involved in phone snatching, armed attacks, and harassment of residents.
In a separate operation, two suspects identified as Elijah Emmanuel, 23, and Tony Ekwane Oghanetega, 21, were arrested in Ikorodu over their alleged involvement in the kidnapping and killing of a 17-year-old victim. The police said investigations also linked the suspects to an earlier kidnapping incident in November 2025.
The Command also arrested three suspected telecom vandals following intelligence from a telecommunications company regarding the theft of power assets. Nine stolen batteries were recovered during the operation.
On cult-related activities, Fatai said operatives arrested eight suspected cultists in Iwaya and an additional 20 suspects linked to cultism and armed robbery on Lagos Island. Several others were apprehended in Ajao Estate and Festac areas during targeted raids.
The police also confirmed the arrest of a suspected armed robber on Anthony Bridge, where two locally fabricated pistols were recovered, as well as the arrest of a 25-year-old suspect linked to a robbery incident at Ayetoro Bus Stop.
In another development, five suspects were arrested in connection with the murder of an individual in the Ilasan area, with investigations revealing links to rival cult groups. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend fleeing suspects.
Additionally, two suspects were arrested for alleged gun-running, with a Beretta pistol recovered. The police said investigations are ongoing to track down the principal suspect believed to be supplying the weapon.
Fatai reiterated the Command’s resolve to rid Lagos State of criminal elements, assuring residents that ongoing operations would be sustained to enhance public safety.
He urged members of the public to support the police with credible information, noting that all suspects would be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations.