Lagos police crackdown arrests 47 suspects in coordinated operations, recovering firearms, vehicles and disrupting ransom and cult activities

Lagos State Police Command has arrested 47 suspects in coordinated operations across the state, including an 18-year-old intercepted while allegedly attempting to collect a ransom of N20 million.

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Police arrests 47 followed multiple intelligence-led operations carried out in different parts of the state, as authorities intensified efforts to curb armed robbery, cultism, kidnapping and related offences.

Commissioner of Police Tijani Fatai disclosed the arrests during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters in Ikeja on Tuesday, where he also presented recovered items seized from various crime scenes.

Tijani Fatai stated that the operations reflected sustained collaboration between security agencies and local communities.

Among the recovered items were 14 firearms, including locally made guns and pump-action rifles, alongside ammunition, cartridges, vehicles, laptops, mobile phones and digital storage devices.

Tijani Fatai noted that the scale of recoveries demonstrated the depth of criminal activity being disrupted.

The 18-year-old suspect, identified as Israel Osanwuta, was apprehended during a decoy operation conducted on March 27 following a complaint from Ojokoro Local Council Development Area.

He was reportedly caught at about 10:55 pm while attempting to collect ransom funds, with investigators also linking him to a previous attempted commercial bank burglary.

In other operations, a suspect identified as Jamiu Yahaya, also known as “Elesin,” was arrested in Amukoko on suspicion of armed robbery, with a locally made pistol and cartridges recovered.

In Ajegunle, a 23-year-old suspect, Sunday Daniel, was detained with a firearm and reportedly confessed to membership of a cult group.

Tijani Fatai further revealed that 21 suspected cultists were arrested during a gathering at a hotel in Ajao Estate, where they had assembled to celebrate a birthday linked to a wanted individual.

Items recovered at the scene included a firearm, cult-related materials, laptops and mobile phones.

Additional arrests included members of a suspected car theft syndicate, individuals linked to vehicle vandalism, and suspects involved in armed robbery across areas such as Ikotun and Egbeda.

A 52-year-old suspect was also apprehended for allegedly concealing a firearm and ammunition inside a pillow.

In a separate case, a 62-year-old suspect, Robert Smith, was arrested over alleged financial fraud involving a microfinance bank, with several high-value vehicles recovered during investigations.

A notable aspect of the operations was the breadth of criminal networks targeted, ranging from violent crime to financial fraud, highlighting what authorities described as a sustained and coordinated effort to improve public safety.

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Tijani Fatai assured that all suspects would be charged to court upon completion of investigations and urged residents to remain vigilant while providing credible information to assist law enforcement efforts.