Lagos police arrest 80 suspects, recover arms, 6 vehicles

The Lagos state Police command has arrested no fewer than 80 suspects and recovered firearms, ammunition, six vehicles and other exhibits in series of intelligence-led operations across the state in the early days of October 2026.

The command also arrested nine suspected vandals allegedly targeting infrastructure along the Lagos Coastal Road and 19 suspects accused of defrauding members of the public under the guise of offering them employment.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai, disclosed this while addressing journalists on Wednesday in Lagos, saying the arrests were part of the command’s sustained efforts to prevent crime and protect lives and property.

Fatai said the command recovered four pistols, eight locally fabricated firearms, four live 9mm ammunition, seven firearm plate numbers, six mobile phones, electrical wires and six vehicles, among other exhibits.

He disclosed that two suspected armed robbers were killed while another was arrested during an operation at Jalapadia after operatives received intelligence that a robbery syndicate was preparing to carry out an operation in Lagos.

According to him, the suspects engaged the police in a gun battle after realising that operatives were closing in on them, leading to the death of two suspects and the arrest of another.

The CP said the arrested suspect had confessed to participating in about 20 robbery operations across Lagos, adding that information obtained from him was assisting investigators in tracking other members of the gang.

Fatai further disclosed that the suspect was allegedly linked to a robbery operation along the Ife Road axis and was identified by a victim in connection with a major robbery incident in Ondo State, where property reportedly worth about ₦15.5 billion was allegedly stolen.

On the Coastal Road, the CP said nine suspects were arrested for allegedly dismantling and removing iron wires and other infrastructure materials installed along the ongoing project.

He warned criminals targeting critical infrastructure that the police would continue to monitor the area and arrest offenders.

The command also arrested 19 suspected fraudulent recruiters where 17 were males and two females were allegedly luring members of the public with fake employment opportunities before defrauding them.

Fatai warned motorists and other road users to comply with traffic restrictions on the Coastal Road, stressing that Okadas and unauthorised minibuses are prohibited from using the route.

He added that the police and relevant authorities had commenced the removal of makeshift structures erected around the road, while warning against illegal parking and structures.

The CP assured Lagos residents that the command would sustain intelligence-led operations and community partnerships to deny criminals the opportunity to operate freely across the state.