The Lagos State Police Command has recorded sweeping successes in its sustained crackdown on crime, arresting a total of 118 suspects and recovering weapons, suspected drugs, and other incriminating items in April 2026.

Commissioner of Police, Tijani Olayiwola Fatai, made this known during a press briefing, reaffirming the Command’s commitment to protecting lives and property through proactive policing, intelligence-led operations, strategic deployments, and swift responses to criminal activities across the state.

According to him, the suspects were arrested for offences ranging from armed robbery, cultism, kidnapping, vandalism, unlawful possession of firearms, street violence, and related crimes. Items recovered during the period include eleven locally fabricated Beretta pistols, one locally made cut-to-size pistol, one English Beretta pistol, two dane guns, nine telecom power batteries, four cutlasses, one knife, 21 bags of substances suspected to be Indian hemp, assorted charms, and other incriminating items.

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Providing details of operations carried out within the month, the Commissioner said that on April 27, 2026, at about 6:30 p.m., operatives conducted a coordinated raid across Ilasan, Lekki, and Maroko, leading to the arrest of 58 suspects linked to street crimes, traffic robbery, and harassment of residents. The suspects were alleged to be responsible for phone snatching, armed attacks, and intimidation of members of the public within the Lekki corridor. Several violent items were recovered, while investigations are ongoing ahead of prosecution.

On the same day at about 8:00 p.m., operatives acting on credible intelligence arrested two suspected kidnappers at the Lucy Fibre area of Ikorodu. The suspects, Elijah Emmanuel (23) and Tony Ekwane Oghanetega (21), were linked to the kidnapping and gruesome murder of Thomson Omokhafe Adams (17), which occurred on April 22, 2026. Further investigation revealed that the suspects had earlier kidnapped and murdered a female victim on November 30, 2025, after collecting a ransom of ₦300,000 from the victim’s family.

In another operation, following intelligence from Glo Nigeria on the theft of over 650 telecom power assets between 2025 and 2026, operatives arrested Orji Emeka in Ikeja. The suspect confessed and led police to Alausa, where Obiagwu Kingsley was arrested. Further investigation led to the arrest of another syndicate member, Oluwatosin Sani, in the Gbogbo area of Ikorodu, with nine telecom power batteries recovered.

The Command also intensified its fight against cultism. On April 22, 2026, between 2:00 a.m. and 4:50 a.m., operatives carried out a crackdown in Iwaya, resulting in the arrest of eight suspected cultists linked to unlawful society activities. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend fleeing members.

On April 28, 2026, at about 6:30 a.m., police responded to a distress call that three young men on a motorcycle had robbed a woman, Chiamaka, at Ayetoro Bus Stop. Swift response by operatives led to the arrest of one of the suspects, Destiny Garuba (25), while efforts continue to apprehend the remaining accomplices.

Earlier, on April 12, 2026, detectives began investigations into the murder of Emmanuel Obioson in the Ilasan area, where he was found lifeless. The investigation led to the arrest of Promise Israel (28), Bright Aniedi (27), Fabulous John (25), Meshack Obili (24), and Owolabi Idris (28). Preliminary findings revealed that the suspects are members of the Aiye Confraternity, while the deceased belonged to the Eiye Confraternity.

It was further discovered that a suspect identified as Lukman, now at large, allegedly shot the victim in the head, while another suspect, Aluge, used a stone to smash his head. Efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects and recover additional weapons.

On April 20, 2026, at about 6:00 p.m., operatives arrested 20 suspects on Lagos Island linked to cult-related and armed robbery activities. The suspects are believed to be members of the Aiye and Eiye confraternities and were involved in violent attacks recorded on April 10, 2026. They will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.

On April 22, 2026, at about 10:00 a.m., operatives arrested Umar Muhammad Abubakar Sodiq (19) on Anthony Bridge while attempting to rob a member of the public. He was found with a short cutlass, and further investigation led to the recovery of two locally fabricated Beretta pistols. The suspect remains in custody.

On April 19, 2026, at about 5:00 a.m., during an operation at Christine Onyung Street in Ajao Estate, police arrested Emmanuel Ogbu (38) and Obumneke Iromaka (40). During interrogation, Ogbu confessed to being an ex-convict previously convicted for cult-related offences in 2018 and admitted to returning to cult activities.

Similarly, on April 27, 2026, at about 6:00 p.m., operatives of the Festac Division arrested Bashiru Ajibase (23), Covenant Edet (27), Jireh Essker (20), Akwuobi Emmanuel (22), and Akingboju Opeyemi (20) over cult-related violence at a hotel in Festac. Also arrested was Dennis Omoniyi (37), who had issued threats to members of the public and later confessed to belonging to a cult group operating in the area.

In another development, operatives arrested Mustapha Mohammed (20), a truck conductor plying Kaduna-Lagos route, and Sanusi Musa (20) for unlawful possession and attempted sale of a firearm. Investigations revealed that Mustapha contacted Sanusi to source a buyer.

Both suspects were arrested during the transaction, and a Beretta pistol was recovered. They identified one Umaru Naeem, said to be resident in Kaduna State, as the owner of the firearm. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend him.

The Command also reported that through sustained intelligence-led operations across various formations, additional firearms, ammunition, and vehicles were recovered, including locally made pistols and other items believed to have been used for criminal activities. These recoveries, according to the Commissioner, underscore the Command’s determination to rid Lagos State of illegal arms and dismantle criminal networks.

CP Fatai described the achievements as a clear demonstration of the effectiveness of intelligence gathering and prompt police response. He assured residents that criminal elements would find no safe haven anywhere in Lagos State.

He urged members of the public to continue supporting the police with timely and credible information to aid crime prevention and detection, adding that all suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.