Lagos Police Arrest 39 Over Vandalism, Robbery, Cultism, Recover 14 Pistols

By Adebola Muili

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested 39 suspects in connection with alleged vandalism, stealing, robbery, cultism and other criminal activities across the state in August.

The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Tijani Olayiwola Fatai, disclosed this on Thursday while briefing journalists on the command’s operational achievements for the month.

Fatai said the operations also led to the recovery of 14 locally made pistols, one double-barrel long gun, one live cartridge, seven cutlasses, 16 knives and 13 bags of substances suspected to be Indian hemp.

Other exhibits recovered, according to him, included vandalised irons and cables, a truck loaded with cartons of spaghetti, a POS machine, assorted charms and a laptop.

The police commissioner said the command had intensified intelligence-led operations to check criminal activities, particularly the vandalism of critical infrastructure such as the newly constructed Coastal Road and the Third Mainland Bridge.

He disclosed that 10 suspects were arrested on August 17 over the alleged vandalism of the Coastal Road infrastructure, with vandalised iron materials recovered from them.

“Preliminary investigation indicates that the suspects are linked to the incessant vandalism of the Coastal Road infrastructure,” Fatai said.

The suspects, according to the police, are Courage Ogbemudiah, 19; Michael Janes, 25; Muhammed Mustapha, 25; Muyideen Ola, 32; Emmanuel James, 18; Tadious Nanius, 28; Anthony Nucase, 23; Makinde Muize, 30; Bolaji Raji, 30; and Waliu Kabiru, 28.

The CP further disclosed the arrest of 28-year-old Chidiebere Ochiri for alleged vandalism and theft of government-installed CCTV camera cables, irons and other infrastructure on the Third Mainland Bridge.

According to Fatai, Ochiri allegedly confessed to vandalising and carting away CCTV cables and irons from the bridge and its environs, adding that he allegedly sold the copper wires to scavengers and scrap dealers for about N12,000 per kilogramme.

One quantity of copper wire was recovered as an exhibit, while efforts were ongoing to apprehend his alleged accomplices and identify the scrap dealers receiving the stolen materials.

In another development, police arrested 22-year-old Olamide Suleiman during a stop-and-search operation in Aguda, Lagos.

The police said a substance suspected to be Indian hemp was found in his possession, while a subsequent search of his bag led to the recovery of a locally made pistol and one cartridge.

According to the CP, Suleiman allegedly told investigators that the pistol belonged to one Emir. He subsequently led police operatives to a hotel where Emir was allegedly staying, resulting in the recovery of a double-barrel gun from the room.

Fatai said investigation was ongoing and efforts had been intensified to arrest Emir and other suspected members of the gang.

The command also arrested a 35-year-old suspected cultist, Ibrahim Abidogun, popularly known as “Shifon”, in Aguda, Surulere.

Abidogun was allegedly identified as a member of the Aiye Confraternity, while a search of his residence reportedly led to the recovery of a locally made pistol.

At Egbeda, the police arrested a trailer driver, Amisu Isah, following intelligence that goods loaded in a trailer parked in front of a church were allegedly being diverted into mini-trucks.

The CP said police operatives deployed to the area confirmed the report and arrested Isah, while another truck allegedly involved in the transloading of the goods fled the scene.

An Acura SUV allegedly used by one of the fleeing suspects was recovered, while cartons of spaghetti were found in the trailer.

Further intelligence-led investigation resulted in the arrest of another suspect identified as Emmanuel. Police said investigation was continuing to establish the ownership and destination of the goods and recover the remaining items.

In Isolo, two suspected cultists, Sodiq Omotunde, 33, and Adeyemo Bilyaminu, 28, were arrested at a dumpsite following intelligence on the activities of suspected cultists in the area.

A locally made single-barrel pistol was recovered during the operation.

Similarly, four suspected members of the Eiye Confraternity were arrested at Ijeshatedo after the police received information that about 50 persons had allegedly gathered for an annual celebration and initiation of new members.

The suspects were identified as Segun Hammed, 38; Adebite Afeez, 33; Daniel Olawale, 42; and Kazeem Babatunde, 43.

Two cutlasses and a battle axe were recovered during the operation.

Fatai said preliminary investigation indicated that Hammed had recently assumed leadership of the group following an alleged handover by Babatunde in March 2026.

The command also arrested two suspected armed robbers, Hammed Oniyi, 25, and Qudus Lawal, 19, following intelligence that Oniyi was allegedly using firearms to rob unsuspecting members of the public.

Two locally made single-barrel pistols were recovered.

The police said preliminary investigation indicated that Oniyi was allegedly a member of the Aiye Confraternity and that the firearm was reportedly given to him by a person who is currently at large.

Fatai said the arrests and recoveries were part of the command’s broader strategy to prevent crime, protect critical infrastructure and safeguard residents, visitors and businesses across Lagos.

He expressed particular concern over the vandalism of the Third Mainland Bridge and the newly constructed Coastal Road, describing the activities as a threat to major government projects designed to improve transportation, connectivity and economic activities.

“The Command will not allow criminals to undermine these developmental efforts,” he said.

The commissioner commended officers and men of the command, as well as members of the public, community leaders, government agencies and other stakeholders for providing information that aided the operations.

He also disclosed that the command would continue to work with the Ministry of Works, the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Engr. Olufemi Dare, and other stakeholders to strengthen the protection of critical infrastructure.

Fatai urged Lagos residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities promptly to the police.

“Lagos will not be a safe haven for criminals,” he said, assuring that all suspects would be subjected to diligent investigation and that those found culpable would be prosecuted in accordance with the law, with their fundamental rights respected.