By Olaitan Ibrahim
The Lagos State Police Command has announced the arrest of 2,176 suspects for various crimes between September 2024 and January 2025.
Commissioner of Police, Olanrewaju Ishola, made this known during a press briefing on Saturday, where he highlighted the Command’s significant efforts in combating crime across the state.
Ishola revealed that the suspects were apprehended for offences ranging from murder, kidnapping, and armed robbery to cult-related activities. All suspects, he said, have been charged to court for prosecution.
Among the notable cases was the arrest of four individuals, Emeka Akwara, David Segun, Samuel Ariori, and Lukman Ariori, who allegedly murdered an Uber driver.
On January 9, the suspects reportedly ordered a ride from Chevron in Lekki to Obalende. Upon arriving at a secluded area, they attacked the driver, stabbing him multiple times in an attempt to steal his vehicle.
However, their plans were foiled when passersby intervened, leading to the immediate arrest of two suspects. Subsequent investigations led to the capture of the remaining two. Items recovered included the victim’s Toyota Camry and knives used in the attack.
In another incident, three suspects, Edmond Julius, Abdullahi Umar, and Saturday Oke, were apprehended for the murder of another Uber driver, Oluwaseyi Fowler, on September 12.
According to the police, the suspects confessed to kidnapping the driver in the Ajah area, killing him, and selling his vehicle to a criminal receiver. Investigations led to the recovery of the decomposed body of the victim and the stolen car.
The Command also recorded progress in addressing cult-related killings. Two individuals, Samuel Ojenuga and Abdullahi Yusuf, who were members of the Aye Confraternity, were arrested for their involvement in several murders. Ojenuga admitted to killing 12 members of the rival Eiye Confraternity, while Yusuf confessed to three killings in the Ijora Badia area.
Further arrests included members of a notorious armed robbery syndicate led by Fatai Lawal, also known as “Bullet,” who were apprehended for their activities along the Badagry Road axis. The gang specialised in robbing vehicles and valuables at gunpoint. Lawal and his accomplices were arrested on September 28, and items recovered from them included firearms, ammunition, and stolen mini-buses.
The police also uncovered a group of kidnappers who lured victims through social media platforms. The suspects would befriend victims online and invite them to specific locations, where they were abducted and ransomed. In one instance, a victim was rescued after paying a ransom of N300,000.
Several other cases of armed robbery and firearms recovery were reported. On November 5, the police intercepted a shuttle bus containing a Stanley SMG rifle and live ammunition. Similarly, abandoned firearms were recovered in incidents across the state, including double-barrel pistols, single-barrel pistols, and AK-47 rifles.
Commissioner Ishola reassured residents of the Command’s determination to maintain law and order in Lagos. He warned criminals to desist from illegal activities, stressing that the police would continue to pursue justice relentlessly. The suspects, along with recovered items, are undergoing prosecution as the Lagos Police Command remains committed to its mission of ensuring safety across the state.