Lagos Police foil kidnap attempt, kill four, arrest 10 other suspects

By Adebola Isimijola, Lagos

The Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai, on Tuesday said operatives of the Lagos State Police Command foiled a kidnap attempt in Ejigbo area of Lagos and killed four suspected kidnappers during a gun duel.

Fatai disclosed this during a press briefing on the Command’s operational achievements for May 2026.

He said the operation followed credible intelligence on the activities of a notorious kidnapping gang allegedly targeting wealthy businessmen in Lagos.

According to him, the suspects opened fire on police operatives when they sighted them at Jakande Estate Gate, Ejigbo, on May 24.

“The operatives responded with superior firepower, leading to the neutralisation of four members of the gang, while one suspect escaped with bullet wounds,” he said.

The police commissioner added that one inspector sustained gunshot injury during the exchange of fire and is currently responding to treatment.

Items recovered from the suspects included an AK-47 rifle, an SMG rifle, magazines, live ammunition, a Toyota Sienna vehicle and vehicle keys.

Fatai also said the Command arrested 10 suspects within the period under review for offences including armed robbery, cultism, stealing, conspiracy and unlawful possession of firearms.

He disclosed that operatives arrested a 57-year-old driver, Akintayo Wasiu, in Ibadan, Oyo State, for allegedly stealing his employer’s Toyota Hiace bus and altering the vehicle documents to evade arrest.

The commissioner further said police recovered a locally-made double-barrel pistol from the residence of an alleged Aiye cult leader in Igando area of Lagos.

He also announced the arrest of one Chibuzor Mogbo in Delta State over the alleged theft of Premium Motor Spirit valued at over N1 billion.

According to him, the suspect confessed to the crime and led operatives to the recovery of cash and properties worth over N300 million.

Fatai added that detectives uncovered a staged kidnap allegedly arranged by a scrap dealer and his accomplices to extort N1.5 million from his employer.

“The suspect eventually confessed that the kidnapping was staged in collaboration with his accomplices,” he said.

He assured Lagos residents that there would be no hiding place for criminal elements in the state and urged members of the public to continue supporting the police with timely information.