By Deborah Nnamdi
The Lagos State Police Command has announced major successes in its intensified crackdown on violent crime across the state, arresting 68 suspects and recovering a large cache of firearms, stolen vehicles, ammunition, and fraud-related items valued at over N500 million within the last four weeks.
Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Moshood Jimoh, disclosed the developments during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters in Ikeja, praising recent security operations for drastically disrupting criminal networks in the state. He credited the breakthroughs to newly implemented crime prevention strategies and swift-response deployments aimed at reducing crime and improving safety for residents and businesses.
CP Jimoh acknowledged the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, for equipping the Command with modern tools, and commended Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for consistent logistical support. He noted that the upgrades had helped reduce the police response time to distress calls to just five minutes in many parts of the state.
The CP revealed that arrests made during the period covered a wide range of offences, including murder, armed robbery, kidnapping, unlawful possession of firearms, advance fee fraud, vehicle theft, drug trafficking, and cultism. Among the items recovered were 17 firearms—including English pistols, a Beretta pistol, an AK-49 rifle, and locally-made guns—99 rounds of live ammunition, four vehicles (including a Mercedes-Benz E350, Toyota RAV4, and unregistered Toyota Camry), 19 mobile phones, laptops, bulletproof vests, axes, hammers, and fake naval identification cards.
Also uncovered was a large cache of documents tied to a visa scam reportedly worth over N500 million, allegedly orchestrated by an educational consultancy that defrauded more than 100 individuals seeking Canadian and Australian work permits.
On electoral security, CP Jimoh stated that the Command successfully secured the July 12, 2025, Local Government elections in the state, which recorded no major incidents. A “Show of Force” operation was conducted ahead of the polls, and vehicular movement was restricted during voting to maintain order.
Highlighting key arrests, the police apprehended four suspects linked to the kidnapping of a 16-year-old boy, who was released after a N2 million ransom was paid. In Ejigbo, seven suspects impersonating security personnel were arrested for hijacking fuel tankers. Four suspects connected to the high-profile visa fraud were also taken into custody, while investigations and manhunts for others continue.
The police also dismantled a vehicle theft syndicate that posed as professional drivers to steal cars from unsuspecting owners. In another case, three “One Chance” robbery suspects were arrested in Ikeja after allegedly pushing a female victim from a moving bus. Two armed robbers were caught in the act at Mile 12, while officers intercepted a Lexus 2021 hybrid SUV valued at over N75 million, suspected to have been stolen outside Nigeria.
CP Jimoh assured Lagos residents that the Command would sustain its momentum, adding that criminal elements would face relentless pressure under his leadership. “We implore Lagosians not to hesitate to contact the police if they see any suspicious activities around them. Under my watch, crime and criminality will be brought to the barest minimum,” he said.
