The Lagos State Police Command says it has arrested 39 suspects and recovered 14 locally made pistols, a live shotgun and other weapons in a series of intelligence-led operations across the state in August.
The operations targeted suspected vandals, armed robbers, cultists and other criminal elements allegedly involved in offences ranging from infrastructure theft to possession of illegal firearms and suspected illicit substances.
Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Fatai Tijani, disclosed the arrests during a briefing on the command’s recent operations, saying intelligence gathering, surveillance, proactive patrols and information from members of the public remained central to the crackdown.
Among the major breakthroughs was the arrest of 12 suspects allegedly involved in the vandalism and theft of iron materials from the newly constructed Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road.
The suspects were arrested on August 17 following investigations into repeated attacks on the road infrastructure, with police recovering allegedly vandalised iron materials.
The command also arrested a suspected vandal accused of stealing government-installed CCTV camera cables and iron materials around Third mainland Bridge. Police said copper wires and other materials were recovered from the suspect, who is also being investigated over the alleged sale of vandalised cables.
In a separate operation around the bridge, police arrested Olamide Suleiman after allegedly finding him with a locally made pistol concealed in a bag. He subsequently led operatives to another location where a double-barrelled gun was recovered from the roof of a building.
Another suspect, identified as Ibrahim Abidoglu, also known as Sihon, was arrested in connection with alleged vandalism, while investigations continue to determine his level of involvement and identify other members of the suspected group.
The command further reported the arrest of a trailer driver accused of diverting a vehicle and its cargo from their intended destination. Police said the vehicle and its contents were recovered after operatives acted on intelligence and reviewed available surveillance footage.
Beyond infrastructure-related offences, the police said the operations also targeted suspected cult activities and armed robbery.
Three suspected cultists were arrested in Ijeshatedo following intelligence about a gathering involving about 50 people allegedly assembled for the initiation of a new member.
Police said preliminary investigations indicated that some of those arrested had recently assumed leadership positions within the group following the alleged death of its former leader.
Six other suspects were arrested over alleged possession of firearms linked to suspected armed robbery, with two locally made pistols recovered during the operation.
The command also reported the recovery of seven cutlasses, 15 knives, 13 bags of suspected illicit substances, a POS machine, a laptop and a truck loaded with cartons of packets, among other exhibits.
The Commissioner said the arrests demonstrated the command’s intensified efforts to disrupt criminal networks before they could gain a foothold across Lagos.
He expressed particular concern over attacks on critical infrastructure, including the Tiamiyu Bridge and the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road, noting that vandalism not only causes financial losses but could also undermine projects designed to improve transportation, connectivity and economic activity.
Tijani said the police would continue to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Works and other relevant agencies to strengthen security around critical infrastructure and government projects.
The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Engineer Olufemi Oloyede, was also received at the briefing, underscoring the need for closer cooperation between security agencies and government institutions in protecting public infrastructure.
The police assured that all the suspects would undergo further investigation and that those found culpable would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The command also urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities, stressing that community intelligence remains crucial to preventing crime and protecting lives and property.
