- CP Tijani Fatai says breakthroughs were driven by intelligence-led policing, as command mourns fallen officer and vows tougher crackdown on robbery, cultism and illegal firearms
Felix Mbata, Lagos state
The Lagos State Police Command has announced a major operational success for the month of September 2026, with the arrest of 32 suspects and the recovery of 43 vehicles, firearms, ammunition, N2.5 million cash and a cache of other exhibits in sweeping operations across the state.
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Tijani Fatai, made the disclosure on Monday while briefing journalists on the command’s monthly scorecard at the headquarters in Ikeja.
According to the police chief, the arrests and recoveries were the result of sustained intelligence-led operations, proactive patrols, stop-and-search exercises and targeted crime prevention initiatives designed to dismantle criminal networks involved in armed robbery, cultism, unlawful possession of firearms, stealing, vandalism and other violent crimes.
CP Fatai listed the exhibits recovered during the period to include five pump-action guns, five locally made pistols, 20 live ammunition and cartridges, 15 expended ammunition, two cutlasses, N2.5 million cash, vandalised electrical wires, assorted suspected criminal charms, a television set, a radiator, a car jack, a bag containing vehicle spare parts and tools, and two vehicle keys.
He also disclosed that operatives impounded over 41 vehicles during a special early-morning enforcement operation targeting vehicles with covered number plates and unregistered vehicles, noting that checks and further enforcement were still ongoing.
Officer killed in line of duty
In a sombre moment during the briefing, CP Fatai announced the death of Sergeant Johnson Okediji, who paid the supreme price in the line of duty on September 26 at Olugbede Street, Egbeda.
Narrating the incident, the CP said officers on stop-and-search duty had signalled a Lexus ES 350 with registration number FKJ 223 KX, driven by 21-year-old Olumide Olusola, to stop for routine checks. The driver initially complied but allegedly sped off as Sergeant Okediji approached the driver’s side, knocking the officer down and dragging him underneath the vehicle for several metres.
The officer sustained multiple fractures and serious head injuries. He was rushed to a nearby hospital and later referred to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. His remains have been deposited at the Mainland Hospital Mortuary for preservation and autopsy, while the vehicle has been recovered to the station.
Fatai assured that the command would continue to protect its personnel lawfully carrying out their duties, while also holding officers accountable where their conduct falls below professional standards.
Crackdown on armed robbery
Giving a breakdown of key cases, the commissioner said that on September 28, operatives on routine patrol along Oko Oba Road arrested 32-year-old Ojo Azeez after a hot chase involving suspected hoodlums. A search led to the recovery of a locally made cut-to-size pistol, a radiator, a car jack, an engine block and a bag containing vehicle spare parts and tools.
In another operation, 29-year-old Ezekiel Sunday Obi was arrested in connection with an alleged robbery at Ghost and Spirit Lounge on Ekoro Road, Abule Egba, on September 26. The armed men had allegedly robbed a male victim of a gold wrist chain and rings. Police said the suspects were armed with an AK-47 rifle and arrived in a grey Mercedes-Benz GLK SUV. Efforts are ongoing to arrest fleeing members of the gang and recover more exhibits.
Similarly, following credible information that a group of young men had moved from Idi-Oro, Mushin to the Chevron area of Lekki-Ajah to rob residents of their valuables, police arrested Ogunbayo Abdulwahib. He led investigators to Muritical Hotel and Suites, Idi-Oro, where N2.5 million and three mobile phones were recovered from a room he allegedly occupied with other gang members who fled before police arrival.
Firearms recovered in Mushin, Ikorodu
CP Fatai further disclosed the arrest of three suspected robbers, Lekan Jimoh, 32, Oyepeju Olanrewaju, 33, and Olurebi Suleiman, 30, in the Idi-Oro area of Mushin. Information obtained during interrogation led operatives to Igbogbo, Ikorodu, where a black pump-action gun and 11 live cartridges were recovered from 47-year-old Banjo Taiwo.
Further investigation led to the arrest of 26-year-old Ebuka Benedict at Olorunsogo, Mushin, from whose room police recovered one locally made Beretta pistol and four live 9mm ammunition. The suspect was said to have confessed to being a member of the Eiye Confraternity.
War against cultism
On cult-related crimes, the command reported the arrest of Femi Ishola, 35, and Daniel Luke, 27, at Ganyigbo Beach Yard. Both suspects, who had been on the police watchlist, allegedly admitted to being members of the Eiye Confraternity.
In Imeke, Badagry, operatives arrested 12 suspected members of the same confraternity, aged between 23 and 49. Police said they admitted to belonging to the group and occupying various positions. A Mercedes-Benz vehicle, two vehicle keys, a locally made cut-to-size gun and several suspected criminal charms were recovered. Seven of the suspects have been charged to court, while investigations continue.
Teenager arrested for gun-running
ln a disturbing development, the command announced the arrest of 15-year-old Taiye Majekodunmi at the Capa area of Oshodi for allegedly acting as an arms courier. The weapons were concealed inside a loaf of bread and were being transported for delivery on the instruction of a person identified as Samuel.
Recovered from him were one locally made Beretta pistol, four rounds of unexpended 9mm ammunition and one locally made single-barrel cut-to-size gun. Further investigation led to the recovery of another cut-to-size gun and 11 unexpended cartridges.
Other arrests
In Ojo, 53-year-old Sijuade Alade was arrested for alleged unlawful possession of a locally made pistol, while in Epe, 27-year-old Joshua Benard was arrested with suspected stolen building electrical wires following a distress call from the Agric area.
Six suspected hoodlums were also arrested for alleged breaking, looting and destruction of property along Ejigbo-Idimu Road, with two cutlasses and a stolen television set recovered. In Badagry, with the assistance of the Civilian JTF, 26-year-old carpenter Kole Josu was arrested for alleged unlawful possession of a firearm and public disturbance.
CP Fatai commended officers and men of the command for their dedication and thanked members of the public for providing credible information. He reiterated that security remains a shared responsibility and pledged that the command would sustain proactive, intelligence-led policing to safeguard lives and property across Lagos State.