LAGOS — The Lagos State Police Command says it has arrested 39 suspects and recovered 14 locally manufactured pistols, a live shotgun and several other weapons during a series of intelligence-driven operations conducted across the state in August.
The operations, according to the command, focused on suspected vandals, armed robbers, cultists and other individuals allegedly involved in criminal activities, including the destruction and theft of government infrastructure.
The Commissioner of Police in Lagos, CP Fatai Tijani, made the disclosure while briefing journalists on the command’s recent activities.
He said the operations also resulted in the recovery of a truck containing cartons of packets, seven cutlasses, 15 knives, 13 bags of suspected illicit substances, a point-of-sale machine and a laptop, among other exhibits.
Tijani said the command had intensified its use of intelligence gathering, surveillance, proactive patrols and information supplied by members of the public to tackle criminal activities across Lagos.
“Throughout the month of August, our officers and men across the state have continued to respond swiftly to credible information, carrying out targeted operations and disrupting criminal activities in different parts of the state,” he said.
Nine arrested over coastal road vandalism
One of the major operations resulted in the arrest of nine suspects allegedly linked to the vandalism and theft of iron materials from the newly constructed coastal road infrastructure.
The suspects were apprehended on August 17 following intelligence gathering and investigations into repeated attacks on the road project.
According to the police, vandalised iron materials were recovered during the operation, while preliminary investigations allegedly connected the suspects to the theft of materials from the project.
Tijani said detectives had taken statements from the suspects and were working with relevant authorities to ensure that those found responsible for damaging and stealing from public infrastructure would face prosecution.
Police investigate Tiamiyu Bridge vandalism
The command also arrested a suspected vandal accused of removing government-installed CCTV cables and iron materials around Tiamiyu Bridge.
Police said the suspect allegedly admitted during interrogation that he had been involved in vandalising the infrastructure and revealed that CCTV cables and iron materials had been taken from the bridge and surrounding areas.
He allegedly told investigators that the activity had continued for several months and that he sold the recovered copper wires.
Police said quantities of copper wires and iron materials were recovered from him.
In a separate operation around the bridge, operatives arrested Olamide Suleiman after allegedly finding a locally made pistol concealed inside a bag.
According to the command, Suleiman subsequently took the police to another location where a double-barrelled gun was recovered from the roof of a building.
Another suspect, Ibrahim Abidoglu, popularly known as Sihon, was also arrested in connection with alleged vandalism.
The police said investigations were continuing to determine his alleged level of involvement and identify other members of the suspected group.
Trailer driver arrested over alleged diversion
The command also reported the arrest of a trailer driver accused of diverting a vehicle and its cargo from their intended destination.
Police said operatives acted on credible information and reviewed available video footage before moving to the location where the driver was arrested.
The vehicle and its contents were subsequently recovered.
According to the police, the suspect initially denied involvement but later allegedly told investigators that he carried out the diversion on the instruction of his employer.
Other individuals reportedly fled the scene when the police arrived. The arrested driver was said to be assisting investigators with information that could lead to the arrest of others allegedly connected to the incident.
Cultism, armed robbery operations yield arrests
Two other suspected vandals were arrested following intelligence concerning alleged criminal activities at a construction site in the Lekki area.
The suspects were taken into custody while detectives began investigating their alleged roles and working to identify other members of the suspected group.
In Ijeshatedo, police operatives responded to a distress call concerning a gathering of about 50 people.
The command said intelligence indicated that suspected cult members had assembled in the area to initiate a new member.
Police stormed the location and arrested three suspects.
Preliminary investigations, according to the command, suggested that some of those arrested had recently taken up leadership roles within the group following the alleged death of its former leader.
The suspects remained in custody as investigations continued.
The command also disclosed that six suspects were arrested based on intelligence concerning the alleged possession of firearms by suspected armed robbers.
Two locally made pistols were recovered during the operation.
Police vow to protect critical infrastructure
Tijani said the arrests and recovery of weapons and other exhibits demonstrated the command’s continued commitment to intelligence-led policing, surveillance, patrols and cooperation with residents.
He expressed concern about the increasing vandalism of critical infrastructure, particularly Tiamiyu Bridge and the newly constructed coastal road.
According to him, such criminal activities result in financial losses and pose a threat to government projects designed to improve transportation, connectivity and economic activity.
“The command will not allow criminals to undermine these development efforts,” he warned.
The commissioner commended police officers for their commitment and professionalism and acknowledged the contributions of community leaders, government agencies and other stakeholders who provided useful information.
He said the command would continue working with the Ministry of Works and other relevant agencies to improve security around critical infrastructure and government projects across Lagos.
Tijani also warned that the command would not permit Lagos to become a haven for vandals, armed robbers, kidnappers or other criminal elements.
He urged residents to remain alert and promptly report suspicious activities to the authorities.
“Every credible piece of information can make a difference in preventing crime and protecting lives and property,” he said.
The commissioner assured that the suspects would be subjected to thorough investigations and that those found culpable would be prosecuted in accordance with the law, while their fundamental rights would be protected.
He also welcomed the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Engineer Olufemi Oloyede, to the briefing, stressing the importance of stronger cooperation between security agencies and government institutions in safeguarding critical infrastructure across the state.