Crime
Lagos Police Arrest 39 Suspects Over Vandalism, Robbery, Cultism
The Lagos State Police Command says it arrested 39 suspects and recovered firearms, weapons and stolen public infrastructure materials during operations across the state in August.
The arrests include 10 people accused of repeatedly vandalising the newly constructed Coastal Road and a man accused of stealing CCTV cables and iron components from the Third Mainland Bridge.
The Commissioner of Police, Tijani Olayiwola Fatai, disclosed the figures during a press briefing on Thursday, 20 August.
The command said it recovered 14 locally made pistols, two other firearms, a live cartridge, seven cutlasses, 16 knives and 13 bags of substances suspected to be Indian hemp.
It also recovered vandalised iron and cables, a truck carrying cartons of spaghetti, a POS machine, a laptop and assorted charms.
Coastal Road vandalism
The police said they arrested 10 suspects on 17 August following investigations into repeated vandalism of infrastructure on the Coastal Road.
According to the command, officers recovered vandalised iron materials and linked the suspects to the alleged destruction and theft of the infrastructure.
The police said preliminary investigations had linked the suspects to the offences and that they had made statements about their alleged involvement. The suspects have not been convicted, and the investigation is continuing.
The latest arrests come against a backdrop of repeated concerns over vandalism along the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
In February, Lagos police introduced dedicated anti-crime patrols along the corridor after concerns over criminal activity and damage to infrastructure. The command said the patrols would operate around the clock.
In May, the Federal Government also handed three operational vehicles to the police to strengthen security along the highway.
The Federal Government later introduced Coastal Highway Guards in July and August to monitor the corridor and help prevent vandalism. Reports said 40 guards were initially deployed.
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That means the latest police operation is part of a wider and increasingly costly security response to the problem.
Third Mainland Bridge also under attack
The command also announced the arrest of Chidiebere Ochiri, 28, over the alleged theft of CCTV cables, iron materials and other infrastructure from the Third Mainland Bridge.
Police said the suspect told investigators that he had removed cables connecting CCTV cameras and sold copper wires to scavengers and scrap dealers for about ₦12,000 per kilogramme.
One quantity of copper wire was recovered, while officers are investigating alleged accomplices and the scrap dealers who may have received stolen materials.
The problem is not new.
In January, police arrested three suspected vandals after CCTV monitoring reportedly detected them removing reflective road studs from the Third Mainland Bridge.
Police also arrested an 18-year-old suspect in April for allegedly removing reflective road studs from the bridge and recovered 20 of the items.
The repeated incidents raise questions about how effectively existing surveillance, patrols and physical protection measures can deter organised theft.
Guns and cultism
The August operations also produced several arrests linked by police to suspected cult activities and illegal firearms.
In Aguda, officers arrested Olamide Suleiman, 22, after allegedly finding suspected cannabis and a locally made pistol in his possession. Police said the suspect later led officers to a hotel where they recovered a double-barrel gun allegedly belonging to another man identified as Emir, who remains at large.
Police separately arrested Ibrahim Abidogun, 35, also known as “Shifon”, over alleged membership of the Aiye Confraternity. Officers said they recovered a locally made pistol from his residence.
Two other suspects were arrested at a dumpsite in Isolo, where police said they recovered another locally made pistol.
Four suspected cultists were also arrested in Ijeshatedo after police received information about a gathering involving suspected members of the Eiye Confraternity. Officers recovered two cutlasses and a battle axe.
The command said investigations would determine the individual roles of the suspects and identify other people allegedly connected to the groups.
Alleged diversion of goods
In another case, police arrested a trailer driver after receiving information that a loaded trailer had stopped outside a church in Egbeda while mini-trucks arrived to remove some of its goods.
Police said the driver, Amisu Isah, was arrested after officers confirmed the report. Another truck allegedly carrying some of the goods escaped.
An Acura SUV allegedly used by one of the fleeing suspects was recovered, while officers found cartons of spaghetti in the trailer.
The police later arrested another suspect identified as Emmanuel. Investigators are still trying to establish who owns the goods, where they were going and who else was involved.
Why the infrastructure issue matters
Vandalism of public infrastructure is not simply a theft issue.
Damage to CCTV systems can reduce surveillance on major transport routes. Removing safety installations can expose road users to greater risks, while stealing structural or protective components can create additional repair costs for government.
The Federal Government has previously linked vandalism along the Coastal Highway to damage to protective installations and drainage infrastructure.
The Lagos State Government also arrested 27 people earlier this month over alleged vandalism of the newly constructed Festac-Alakija Bridge, with officials saying structural components had been removed.
These incidents suggest that the problem extends beyond one road or one group of suspects.
For residents, the immediate question is whether repeated arrests will translate into fewer attacks and safer infrastructure.
What happens next?
The police said investigations remain ongoing in the cases announced on Thursday.
It said suspects would be subjected to further investigation and that those found culpable would be prosecuted according to the law.
The command also said suspects’ fundamental rights would be respected.
“The Command will continue to work closely with the Ministry of Works, the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Engr Olufemi Dare and other relevant stakeholders to strengthen the protection of critical infrastructure and ensure that ongoing developmental projects are adequately secured.”
The Commissioner also urged residents to report suspicious activity.
“Every credible piece of information can make a difference in preventing crime and protecting lives and property.”
He concluded: “Lagos will not be a safe haven for criminals.”
The key test now is whether the arrests lead to successful prosecutions, the recovery of more stolen infrastructure and a sustained reduction in vandalism. Arrest figures alone will not show whether the wider security strategy is working.
Five people have been charged before the Ota Magistrate Court in Ogun State after police officers were allegedly attacked while transporting a handcuffed suspect to a station in the Ota area.
The Ogun State Police Command said the incident happened on 2 October 2026 around The Bells area of Iyana-Iyesi, Ota, after officers intercepted a suspect allegedly carrying a large quantity of substances suspected to be Indian hemp.
According to the command, the suspect escaped after a group of people allegedly ambushed the patrol team and attacked the officers with cutlasses, stones and bottles.
The police said some officers were injured during the confrontation, while their operational vehicle was also damaged.
How the suspect escaped
The police said officers were taking the handcuffed suspect to the station when they came under attack.
The alleged assault disrupted the operation and enabled the suspect to escape, according to the command.
The incident has prompted further police operations in the area as officers seek to identify and arrest other people allegedly involved in the attack.
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Five suspects charged
Following what the police described as intelligence-led operations, five suspects were arrested.
They were identified as Morenikeji Badmus, 36; Adedoja Segun, 40; Jeremiah Odise Ugbede Onride, 49; Mike Stephen, 28; and David Odeh, 32.
The suspects were arraigned on allegations including conspiracy, serious assault on police officers, obstruction of lawful duty and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace.
The police said efforts were continuing to arrest other suspects who allegedly fled after the incident.
The allegations against the five suspects have not been established by a court.
Why the case matters
The incident highlights the risks that can arise when members of the public physically confront law enforcement officers during an ongoing operation.
It also raises questions about the security of police personnel and suspects being transported during arrests, particularly where members of the public attempt to interfere with an operation.
The police have urged residents to avoid physical confrontations with officers and use lawful channels to challenge actions they believe are improper.
Police warning
The Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, CP Bode Ojajuni, said the protection of officers carrying out lawful duties remained a priority for the command.
He urged members of the public to channel grievances through established legal procedures rather than resorting to violence.
The command said investigations and efforts to apprehend other suspects were still ongoing.
The Ogun State Community, Social Orientation and Safety Corps, known as So-Safe Corps, says it has recovered two pumping machines allegedly stolen during a burglary in the Atan-Ota area of the state.
Two suspects, identified as Monday and Vovo, were arrested after residents alerted security operatives that men had allegedly been caught with the machines at Ajambata, along Sokoto Road, Atan-Ota.
The incident happened on Monday, October 5, 2026, according to the Corps.
Community alert leads to arrests
The Corps said its operatives were on patrol in the area when they received a distress call from community members about the suspects.
They reportedly moved to the location and arrested the two men before taking them to the So-Safe Corps Area Command in Atan for questioning.
The development highlights the role of residents in providing information that can help security agencies respond quickly to suspected criminal activity.
Suspects allegedly linked to stolen goods
According to the Corps, preliminary questioning established that both suspects are natives of Cotonou, Benin Republic.
Monday reportedly told investigators that he had lived in Atan for several years, while Vovo said he had arrived in the area a few months earlier.
The Corps said Monday denied personally accompanying Vovo to remove the pumping machines but allegedly admitted that he helped find buyers for stolen property.
It added that Vovo confirmed the claim.
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Three people identify recovered machines
Two pumping machines were recovered from the suspects and taken to the So-Safe Corps Area Command.
The Corps said three people subsequently came forward to identify and claim the recovered equipment.
The suspects and recovered items were later handed over to the Nigeria Police Force at the Atan Divisional Headquarters for further investigation and possible prosecution.
So-Safe urges residents to stay alert
Mr Kamal Oshi, who expressed appreciation for the intervention, commended the Corps for responding to the alert and recovering the allegedly stolen property.
So-Safe Corps State Commander, Cmdr. (Dr.) Soji Ganzallo, said the agency remained committed to protecting lives and property.
He also urged residents to remain vigilant and provide useful information to security agencies to support their lawful duties.
The statement was signed by ACC Adegunwa Adegbuyi, Director of Information and Public Relations, So-Safe Corps.
Why the recovery matters
The case also underscores the importance of community reporting in tackling property-related crimes, particularly where stolen equipment can quickly be moved or sold.
For residents and businesses in the Atan-Ota area, the recovery offers a reminder that prompt reporting can help security personnel intervene before suspected stolen property is moved beyond the community.
The Ogun State Community, Social Orientation and Safety Corps, known as So-Safe Corps, has handed two suspected burglars to the Nigeria Police Force for further investigation after separate incidents in Atan-Ota.
The suspects, identified as Quadri Anifowoshe and 21-year-old Ayomide Adebayo, were arrested in connection with alleged burglary and theft at Adekoyeni and Asore communities respectively.
The cases were disclosed in separate statements by the So-Safe Corps State Commander, Cmdr. (Dr.) Soji Ganzallo, through the Director of Information and Public Relations, ACC Adegunwa Adegbuyi.
Suspect arrested with aluminium frames
Anifowoshe was arrested on Saturday, October 3, 2026, after a So-Safe officer reportedly spotted him around Ajambata carrying a sack containing pieces of aluminium.
According to the Corps, the officer stopped him and asked about the contents of the sack, but the suspect allegedly ran away.
He was pursued and apprehended before being taken to the Atan Area Command for questioning.
The Corps said Anifowoshe subsequently admitted gaining access to a building at Adekoyeni by jumping over the fence.
He allegedly told investigators that he removed aluminium window frames from the building, broke them into pieces and intended to sell them.
The agent managing the property, Wasiu Toriola, later appeared at the So-Safe command on behalf of the owner.
Toriola reportedly requested that the matter be transferred to the police for further investigation while awaiting the return of the property owner, who was said to be in Lagos.
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21-year-old apprentice arrested at residence
In the second case, Adebayo was arrested on Sunday, October 4, after he was allegedly found inside a residence at Asore, Atan-Ota.
The Corps said its Atan Area Commander, ACC Adekunle Job, received a distress call at about 1:30pm reporting that a man had allegedly jumped over a fence and entered a house.
Operatives were immediately mobilised to the location.
The Corps said Adebayo was subsequently brought to its command for investigation. It also stated that the suspect had been beaten before its officers arrived at the scene.
During questioning, the suspect allegedly admitted entering the property through the rear fence after removing the window burglary protection.
The Corps said he allegedly took household items including rice, bread and cooking pots, as well as an undisclosed amount of money.
Owner raised alarm after returning from church
According to the statement, the incident occurred while the homeowner was away at church.
On returning, the owner reportedly noticed that the gate was locked from inside, despite having locked it from outside before leaving.
He reportedly found another way into the premises and discovered the suspect inside the house, prompting him to raise an alarm.
The suspect was then apprehended and handed over to So-Safe Corps operatives.
In both cases, the suspects were later transferred to the Nigeria Police Force, Atan Divisional Headquarters, for further investigation and appropriate action.
So-Safe urges residents to remain vigilant
The So-Safe Corps said the incidents highlighted the importance of residents remaining alert to suspicious movements within their communities.
The agency urged residents to promptly report unusual activity and cooperate with security personnel.
It also advised members of the public against taking the law into their own hands.
The suspects’ alleged confessions have not been independently tested in court, and the allegations remain subject to police investigation and possible prosecution.
What happens next?
The Nigeria Police Force is expected to investigate the allegations, establish the circumstances surrounding the incidents and determine whether the suspects should be charged to court.
The transfer of the cases to the police also means the allegations will now proceed through the formal criminal justice process.
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