By Stephen Simon
The Lagos State Police Command has recorded major operational successes in its ongoing crackdown on crime, recovering firearms, military camouflage uniforms, suspected illicit substances and stolen property, while also rescuing 38 foreign nationals during a series of coordinated operations across the state.
Addressing journalists at the Command Headquarters in Ikeja, the Commissioner of Police, CP Fatai Tijani, said the achievements reflect the Command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing, proactive crime prevention and sustained efforts to rid Lagos of criminal elements.
According to the police commissioner, operatives recovered 14 firearms, four live cartridges, a MAN diesel truck, 51 mobile phones, two vehicle engine control units, popularly known as brain boxes, an operational motorcycle, a truck loaded with 47 sacks of military camouflage uniforms, 80 cartons of suspected illicit substances, vandalised electrical cables and other exhibits linked to criminal activities.
Among the major breakthroughs was the arrest of two suspected cable vandals allegedly caught while vandalising electrical infrastructure on the Third Mainland Bridge. Stolen cables were recovered during the operation, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the syndicate.
In a separate operation, police arrested three suspects following a reported theft at a church construction site in Ayetoro-Ijanikin. Subsequent investigations led to the recovery of two double-barrel guns and six locally made single-barrel firearms. The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, for further investigation.
The Command also recorded progress in its fight against the notorious “One Chance” robbery syndicates operating within the state. Police arrested a suspect linked to the network and recovered 51 mobile phones believed to be proceeds of previous robbery operations.
Similarly, officers on stop-and-search duty in Festac Town apprehended a suspect found in possession of two suspected stolen vehicle engine control units, while patrol teams in Ilupeju recovered two pistols and four live cartridges from two young suspects.
CP Tijani further disclosed that an armed robbery suspect linked to criminal activities around the Ipaja area was arrested, while a fabricated Beretta pistol and a motorcycle allegedly used for robbery operations were recovered.
One of the most significant operations during the month involved the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, which arrested three suspects and recovered an unregistered MAN diesel truck loaded with 47 sacks of military camouflage uniforms and 80 cartons of substances suspected to be illicit drugs. Preliminary investigations indicate the items were allegedly being transported to the South-East.
The police also arrested two suspected fake soldiers found wearing military uniforms and recovered a pump-action gun from them. In separate operations, suspected cultists linked to the Eiye and Alora confraternities were apprehended, with firearms, ammunition and other dangerous weapons recovered.
On immigration-related enforcement, the Command rescued 38 foreign nationals from a possible mob attack in Epe. The individuals were identified as citizens of Chad, Burkina Faso, Benin Republic, Mali, Togo, Cameroon and Ghana.
According to the police, preliminary investigations revealed that 18 of the foreign nationals possessed valid ECOWAS travel documents, while 20 were found to have entered Nigeria illegally. The matter has been referred to the Nigerian Immigration Service and the relevant diplomatic missions.
The Command also arrested suspects involved in impersonation, including individuals posing as serving military personnel and a dismissed soldier allegedly engaged in criminal activities.
Reaffirming the Command’s determination to sustain the fight against crime, CP Tijani declared that Lagos would remain hostile to criminal elements.
“There will be no safe haven for criminal elements within Lagos State. We urge residents to continue partnering with the police by providing timely, useful and credible information that will support crime prevention and effective law enforcement,” he said.
He added that all suspects currently in custody would be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
