With 580 Suspects Arrested, Weapons Recovered, CP Olanrewaju’s Trajectory of Crushing Crime in Lagos Soars

In a determined effort to rid Lagos State of criminal activities, the Lagos State Police Command, under the leadership of Commissioner of Police (CP) Ishola Olanrewaju, has recorded remarkable success in its recent operations. Over 580 suspects were arrested for offences ranging from armed robbery, kidnapping, conspiracy, and murder, to illegal possession of firearms and cultism. Several dangerous weapons, including AK-47 rifles, locally made pistols, and live ammunition, were recovered, while stolen vehicles and other incriminating items were seized. Many of the suspects have already been charged to court, with ongoing investigations into remaining cases. Chiemelie Ezeobi writes that this crackdown highlights the command’s resolve to enhance the safety and security of Lagos residents

In an ongoing effort to combat crime in Lagos State, the Lagos State Police Command has achieved significant success through the arrest of numerous criminal suspects, recovery of illegal weapons, and dismantling of dangerous gangs. 

The crackdown, led by various tactical teams and divisions under the directive of the Commissioner of Police, CP Ishola Olanrewaju, has resulted in hundreds of arrests and the seizure of incriminating exhibits. Over the weekend, the CP paraded the suspects and the recovered exhibits while updating journalists on the status of each case recorded. 

Armed Robbery and Traffic Robberies

In this regard, the CP said several armed robbery gangs operating across Lagos were apprehended. On Ikorodu Road, a gang using an unregistered Faragon bus painted in Lagos State commercial colours was arrested. The key suspect, Oguche Sylvanus, aged 27, was taken into custody. The Faragon bus and other personal effects were recovered. The case has since been charged to court.

In another operation, the CP said a notorious robbery gang led by Godwin Chukwuma, aged 23, from Orlu LGA, Imo State, and Solomon Balogun, aged 23, from Ondo State, was arrested. Exhibits recovered include one AK-47 rifle with three rounds of live ammunition and two locally made double-barrel guns with four live cartridges. The suspects, who confessed to multiple robberies across the country, have also been charged to court.

Furthermore, on 28th September 2024, he said a dangerous armed robbery syndicate led by Fatai Lawal, alias Bullet, was apprehended along Badagry Road. This gang specialised in snatching vehicles and personal belongings at gunpoint. Recovered items include one locally made single-barrel gun with four cartridges and three Korope buses stolen at gunpoint. All suspects have been charged to court.

Kidnapping Cases

The Lagos Police Command recorded multiple breakthroughs in kidnapping cases. On 23rd October 2024, operatives arrested Hassan Samson, 35, and Segun Akinola, 27, after they abducted Deifiagbon Emeka, who was rescued unhurt. The suspects were charged to court.

On 24th April 2024, he said detectives rescued a kidnapped victim at a dredging site known as Pump and Sell. Five suspects were arrested, and the case was promptly charged to court.

Another kidnapping case involved a gang that used social media to lure victims. They extorted ₦300,000 from one victim before being apprehended by the tactical team of Area Charlie. Three suspects were arrested, and the case has been charged to court.

Cases of Conspiracy and Murder

Several heinous crimes involving conspiracy and murder were solved through diligent investigations. On 9th January 2025, four suspects, Emeka Akwara, 19, David Segun, 21, Samuel Ariori, 21, and Lukman Ariori, 19, conspired to rob and murder a ride-hailing driver in Obalende. Despite stabbing the victim multiple times, they failed to snatch the vehicle. 

With the intervention of passers-by, two suspects were immediately apprehended, while subsequent investigations led to the arrest of the remaining suspects. Recovered exhibits include a Toyota Camry vehicle (AGL 650 HN) and knives. The case remains under investigation, while the deceased’s body has been deposited at Mainland Hospital, Yaba.

Another chilling case involved the arrest of Edmond Julius, 34, Abdullahi Umar, 32, and Saturday Oke, 40, for the kidnapping and murder of Oluwaseyi Fowler, an Uber driver. The suspects led police operatives to recover the decomposed body of the deceased and a Toyota Camry, which was handed over to the victim’s family. The suspects have been charged to court.

Additionally, on 17th July 2024, a violent cult clash led to the brutal murder of two individuals at Ijora Badia. Investigations culminated in the arrest of Samuel Ojenuga, 22, and his accomplice, Abdullahi Yusuf, who confessed to multiple killings during the clash. The suspects have been charged to court.

Illegal Possession of Firearms and Other Criminal Offences

On 5th November 2024, a patrol team at First Gate, Agidingbi, Ikeja, intercepted suspects aboard a commercial shuttle bus without a registration number. Recovered items included one Stanley SMG rifle and 44 rounds of live ammunition. The suspects were charged to court.

On 6th November 2024, a team on patrol at Odo Eran, Idimu, spotted suspects fleeing on a motorcycle. Abandoned at the scene were a locally made double-barrel pistol, two single-barrel pistols, and live cartridges.

The tactical team of Area B arrested a suspected cultist on 25th December 2024, recovering iron axes, cutlasses, and other dangerous weapons. The suspect was charged to court and remanded at Kirikiri Prison.

Child Abuse and Labour Unrest

On 8th January 2025, a distress call led to the arrest of a suspect for the physical assault of a male infant student. The case, supported by video evidence, was transferred to the Gender Unit for prosecution.

The command also recorded 2,270 motorcycles impounded for violating traffic laws, alongside 127 vehicles apprehended for contravening one-way traffic and BRT corridor rules. These cases have been transferred to the task force at Oshodi.

Raids on Criminal Hideouts and Vandalism

In ongoing raids on criminal hideouts, 580 suspects were arrested and transferred to the task force for further investigation. Additionally, one cultist was arrested at Ijanikin on 3rd November 2024, while another suspect was apprehended at Area C on 20th November 2024. Both cases were charged to court.

Summarily, the Lagos State Police Command remains resolute in its commitment to safeguarding the lives and property of all Lagosians. With the continued support of law-abiding citizens, CP Olanrewaju pledged that they  will ensure Lagos remains safe for all.