The Lagos State Police Command says it arrested 118 suspects and recovered firearms, drugs, and other weapons during a series of operations in April 2026.

Speaking at a press briefing, Commissioner of Police Tijani Olayiwola Fatai said the command remains committed to “protecting lives and property through proactive policing and intelligence-led operations.”

He added that the arrests were linked to offences including armed robbery, cultism, kidnapping, and vandalism.

“These achievements reaffirm our resolve to rid Lagos State of criminal elements and sustain public confidence in policing.” — CP Tijani Fatai

What was recovered

Police said items seized during the operations included:

11 locally fabricated Beretta pistols

One English-made Beretta pistol

Two dane guns

21 bags of suspected cannabis

Nine telecom power batteries

Cutlasses, knives, and assorted charms

Authorities say investigations are ongoing and suspects will be charged in court.

Major operations across Lagos

Crackdown in Lekki and Maroko

Police arrested 58 suspects during coordinated raids in Ilasan, Lekki, and Maroko.

The suspects were linked to phone snatching, traffic robberies, and attacks on residents, according to the command.

Arrests over kidnapping and killings

Two suspects were arrested in Ikorodu over the killing of a 17-year-old boy.

Police said investigations also linked them to an earlier kidnapping case in 2025, where a ransom was paid.

Telecom vandalism syndicate uncovered

Three suspects were arrested over the theft of telecom infrastructure after intelligence from Globacom (Glo).

Police recovered nine stolen power batteries and said the group may be connected to wider infrastructure theft.

Cultism and gang violence

Several operations targeted cult groups across Lagos, including:

Eight suspects arrested in Iwaya

20 suspects linked to violence on Lagos Island

Multiple arrests in Festac and Ajao Estate

Police said some suspects confessed to involvement in cult activities after previous convictions.

Armed robbery cases

Officers also arrested suspects linked to robbery incidents in different parts of the city, including Anthony Bridge and Ayetoro.

Weapons, including locally made pistols, were recovered.

Why it matters

Security remains a major concern for residents and businesses in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial hub.

Experts say frequent reports of cult clashes, street crime, and infrastructure vandalism can affect investor confidence and daily life.

Improved policing, they note, is key to sustaining economic activity and public safety.

Industry and public reaction

Security analysts say the scale of arrests shows increased intelligence coordination but warn that long-term results depend on prosecution and prevention.

Residents in affected areas have repeatedly called for stronger community policing and surveillance.

What’s next

Police say efforts are ongoing to arrest fleeing suspects and dismantle criminal networks.

The command also urged residents to provide timely information to support crime prevention.

“Criminal elements will find no safe haven anywhere within the state.” — Lagos Police

The Nigeria Police Force says it has arrested five suspected armed robbers in separate operations, recovered 10 stolen vehicles in northern Nigeria, and disrupted a violent “one chance” robbery network around Abuja.

Police described the arrests as a “major operational breakthrough” amid growing concerns over vehicle theft and commuter-targeted attacks in urban areas.

Kaduna arrests and stolen vehicles recovered

Three suspects, Abubakar Musa, Hassan Umar and Joshua Raphael were arrested on 16 March in Kaduna State.

According to police spokesperson Anthony Okon Placid, investigations show the group specialised in stealing and relocating vehicles while tampering with registration details to avoid detection.

Officers recovered 10 vehicles, including Toyota Hilux trucks, Toyota Corolla cars, a Pontiac Vibe GT, a Honda vehicle, a Lexus car and a Toyota RAV4 SUV.

Several of the vehicles had no registration numbers.

Police say the main suspect, Abubakar Musa, is a dismissed army corporal who allegedly posed as a serving soldier to evade arrest.

“The operation led to the recovery of ten (10) vehicles… with several found without registration numbers,” police said.

‘One chance’ robbery suspects arrested

In a separate operation, police arrested two suspects linked to a violent “one chance” syndicate operating in and around the Federal Capital Territory.

David Francis and Emmanuel Ibenni, also known as “Markfish”, were arrested on 8 March at a hotel in Mararaba, Nasarawa State, following intelligence reports.

Police said the group posed as commercial drivers to lure passengers before robbing and assaulting them.

“The syndicate has been linked to multiple incidents involving the abduction and dispossession of victims,” the statement said.

Several victims have identified the suspects and are assisting ongoing investigations.

Why it matters

Armed robbery and “one chance” attacks remain a major safety concern for commuters, especially in major cities and surrounding areas.

Security analysts say vehicle theft syndicates also fuel wider organised crime, including cross-border trafficking and resale markets.

The latest arrests may help disrupt networks involved in both crimes, though police say more suspects are still at large.

Push for stronger cybercrime collaboration

Separately, the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has called for stronger collaboration to tackle cybercrime.

The appeal came during a meeting between the police’s National Cybercrime Centre and a Joint Case Team comprising multiple agencies, including the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Federal Ministry of Justice.

The Director of the cybercrime centre, Akaninyene Ezima, said the partnership would improve investigations and prosecutions.

Team leader Jamila Akaaga Ade added that the group was ready to support efforts both locally and internationally.

“The team is ready to collaborate closely… to combat cybercrime both locally and internationally.”

What’s next

Police say investigations are ongoing to arrest other fleeing suspects and recover additional stolen items.

Authorities also say strengthened inter-agency collaboration could improve responses to both cybercrime and organised criminal networks.

The Ogun State Community, Social Orientation and Safety Corps (So-Safe Corps) says it has arrested two suspects linked to alleged burglary, stealing and conspiracy, following a patrol operation in Ota.

The Corps said the suspects were apprehended in the early hours of 23 April 2026 during a routine patrol near Royal City College in Iyana Iyesi.

In a statement, State Commander, Dr Soji Ganzallo, said one of the suspects, Afolayan Sodiq, 30, was intercepted while riding a tricycle loaded with cartons of groceries and wine.

He said:

“The suspect was arrested by personnel of Iyesi Area Command… while riding a tricycle loaded with various cartons of groceries and wine at the wee hour of April 23, 2026.”

How the Arrest Unfolded

According to the Corps, Sodiq told investigators he had been contacted earlier in the day by a scrap dealer, Muhammed Adamu, to help transport goods from the Royal City College/Monarch University area.

Ganzallo explained:

“During preliminary interrogation, Sodiq… said a scrap dealer, Muhammed Adamu… called him… that one Mr Lucky wanted to transport some loads… and his assistance is required.”

Operatives then used the suspect to lure other members of the alleged group.

“He called both of them pretending that all was well. Due to the calls, Adamu was arrested while Mr Lucky was suspicious and has not been arrested yet,” Ganzallo said.

Items Recovered

Officials said items recovered from the suspects include cartons of wine, noodles, and groundnut oil, along with a yellow tricycle believed to have been used in the operation.

The suspects later led operatives to the alleged crime scene for further assessment.

What Authorities Say

Ganzallo said the suspects and recovered items have been handed over to the Nigeria Police Force for further investigation.

“Both suspects and recovered exhibits have been transferred to the Nigeria Police Force, Onipanu Divisional Headquarters for further investigation and likely prosecution.”

Why It Matters

The arrest highlights ongoing concerns about organised petty crime and burglary networks operating within Ogun State communities.

Security analysts say collaboration between local security outfits and the police remains critical in tackling such crimes.

Residents in fast-growing areas like Ota have repeatedly raised concerns about theft and night-time criminal activity, especially around schools and commercial zones.

Industry & Public Reactions

Local residents say the arrest may help restore confidence in community policing.

Security experts note that routine patrols and intelligence-led operations are key to dismantling syndicates that rely on informal transport systems to move stolen goods.

What’s Next

Police are expected to continue investigations, including efforts to apprehend the third suspect identified as “Mr Lucky”.

Authorities say prosecution will follow once investigations are concluded.