The Lagos State Police Command has recorded major security successes in May 2026, including the prevention of a kidnap attempt, the neutralisation of four suspected kidnappers, the arrest of 10 suspects, and the recovery of firearms, ammunition, stolen vehicles, and other items linked to criminal activities across the state. The Commissioner of Police disclosed this during a press briefing on the Command’s activities for the month under review, attributing the achievements to sustained intelligence-led policing, rapid response operations, and coordinated crime prevention strategies.
According to him, police operatives on May 24, 2026, foiled a planned kidnapping operation around the Jakande Estate Gate area of Ejigbo after receiving credible intelligence about a gang allegedly targeting a businessman in the area. He explained that operatives came under heavy gunfire when they confronted the suspects, leading to a fierce exchange during which four members of the gang were neutralised, while another suspect escaped with gunshot wounds.
A police officer sustained a gunshot injury to the leg during the operation and is currently receiving treatment. Items recovered from the scene included an AK-47 rifle with ammunition, a submachine gun with loaded magazines, a Toyota Sienna vehicle, and several vehicle keys believed to belong to stolen vehicles used by the gang. The Command also announced the arrest of a 57-year-old suspect in Ibadan, Oyo State, for allegedly stealing a Toyota Hiace bus belonging to his employer and attempting to alter the vehicle’s documents to avoid detection. The bus was later recovered through sustained tracking operations.
In another intelligence-driven operation, police operatives recovered a locally fabricated firearm from the residence of a suspected cult leader in the Igando area following surveillance linked to cult-related activities. The police further revealed the arrest of a suspect connected to a petroleum theft case valued at over ₦1 billion. The suspect, who was tracked to Delta State, reportedly confessed during interrogation and assisted investigators in recovering assets and cash worth more than ₦300 million.
Police said efforts are ongoing to arrest another suspect who remains at large. In a separate incident, detectives uncovered a staged kidnapping involving a scrap dealer who allegedly connived with accomplices to fake his own abduction in an attempt to extort ₦1.5 million from his employer. Investigations showed that the suspects recorded a video of the fake abduction before later confessing after detectives identified inconsistencies in their claims.
Meanwhile, two suspected vehicle vandals were arrested in Bariga following a distress call from residents, while a stolen Toyota Sienna and other exhibits were recovered. In another stop-and-search operation along Shasha Road, operatives intercepted a vehicle containing a loaded revolver pistol and a knife. The Command also recovered a locally fabricated firearm abandoned by fleeing suspects in Ikola after a reported robbery attempt. The suspects reportedly fled on sighting police operatives, abandoning both a motorcycle and the weapon.
The police leadership assured residents that the Command remains committed to sustaining aggressive patrols, surveillance, and intelligence-led operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks across Lagos State. The Command added that all suspects would be prosecuted upon the conclusion of investigations and urged residents to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information to improve public safety.
Source: https://guardian.ng/
