The Lagos State Police Command has arrested 47 suspected criminals and recovered 14 firearms during coordinated operations across the state.
The Commissioner of Police, Fatai Tijani, disclosed this while displaying items seized from various crime scenes at the command headquarters in Ikeja. The offences linked to the arrests include armed robbery, cultism, conspiracy, theft, threats to life, and illegal possession of weapons.
According to Tijani, the successes recorded were driven by intelligence-based policing and collaboration with members of the public. He revealed that the weapons recovered include 10 locally made pistols and four pump-action guns, along with 96 rounds of live ammunition, 29 cartridges, and one spent shell.
Other items retrieved during the operations include 14 vehicles, two laptops, 29 mobile phones, a flash drive, and other materials connected to criminal activities.
Providing further details, the police chief said a suspected armed robber, Jamiu Yahaya, popularly known as “Elesin,” was arrested in the Canal area of Amukoko following credible intelligence. A search of his residence led to the recovery of a locally made pistol, two live cartridges, an expended ammunition shell, and suspected charms.
In another operation, a suspected cultist, Sunday Daniel, was apprehended in Ajegunle on April 1, with a locally made pistol recovered. The suspect reportedly admitted to being a member of the Aiye confraternity and provided information useful to ongoing investigations.
Tijani also revealed that on April 5, police operatives arrested 21 individuals linked to cult activities at a hotel in Ajao Estate, where they had gathered for a birthday celebration of a wanted cult member identified as “Actor.” Items recovered at the scene included a cut-to-size firearm, cult-related materials, a laptop, and multiple mobile phones.
Additionally, five suspects connected to a car theft syndicate were arrested, with a Toyota Sienna and Toyota Camry recovered from them. Three other suspects were also apprehended for vehicle vandalism, with tools and a car recovered as evidence.
The commissioner further stated that a 52-year-old man, Adedayo Bello, was arrested on March 29 for unlawful possession of firearms after a pistol and ammunition were discovered hidden in his residence.
In a separate case, three suspects were arrested in connection with the invasion of an estate in Lekki, where several vehicles were damaged. Police recovered three vehicles, including Lexus models, during the investigation.
Tijani assured residents that efforts are ongoing to track down other suspects still at large and recover more illegal weapons, reaffirming the command’s commitment to maintaining security across Lagos State.
