Lagos Police Arrest 39 Suspects Over Coastal Road Vandalism, Robbery, Cultism
The Lagos State Police Command has arrested 39 suspects and recovered firearms, ammunition, dangerous weapons, suspected Indian hemp and other exhibits in a series of intelligence-led operations across the state in August 2026.
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Tijani Olayiwola Fatai, disclosed this on Thursday at a press briefing on the command’s operational achievements during the month.
Fatai said the operations targeted suspected vandals, robbers, cultists and other criminal elements, with particular attention paid to the protection of critical infrastructure, including the newly constructed Coastal Road and Third Mainland Bridge.
Among the exhibits recovered, according to the Commissioner, were vandalised iron materials and cables, a truck loaded with cartons of spaghetti, one double-barrel long gun, 14 locally made pistols, one live cartridge, seven cutlasses, 16 knives, 13 bags of substances suspected to be Indian hemp, a Point-of-Sale machine, assorted charms and a laptop.
Ten arrested over Coastal Road vandalism
The Commissioner said 10 suspects were arrested on August 17 in connection with the repeated vandalism of the newly constructed Coastal Road infrastructure.
The suspects were identified as Courage Ogbemudiah, 19; Michael Janes, 25; Muhammed Mustapha, 25; Muyideen Ola, 32; Emmanuel James, 18; Tadious Nanius, 28; Anthony Nucase, 23; Makinde Muize, 30; Bolaji Raji, 30; and Waliu Kabiru, 28.
He said the suspects were arrested following intelligence gathered during investigations into the vandalism, adding that vandalised iron materials were recovered.
“Preliminary investigation indicates that the suspects are linked to the incessant vandalism of the Coastal Road infrastructure,” Fatai said, adding that the suspects had also made statements regarding their alleged involvement.
Suspect arrested over Third Mainland Bridge cables
The command also arrested a 28-year-old suspect, Chidiebere Ochiri, over the alleged vandalism and theft of government-installed CCTV camera cables, iron materials and other infrastructure on the Third Mainland Bridge.
According to the CP, the suspect allegedly confessed during interrogation to carting away cables connecting CCTV cameras and iron materials installed along the bridge and its environs.
He reportedly told investigators that he had been involved in the activity for several months and sold vandalised copper wires to scavengers and scrap dealers for about N12,000 per kilogramme.
A quantity of copper wire was recovered as an exhibit, while efforts were ongoing to arrest the suspect’s alleged accomplices and identify scrap dealers allegedly receiving the stolen materials.
Police recover firearms from suspected robbers, cultists
The Commissioner also disclosed the arrest of Olamide Suleiman, 22, during stop-and-search operations in the Aguda area of Lagos.
Suleiman was allegedly found with a substance suspected to be Indian hemp. A subsequent search of his bag at the police station led to the recovery of a locally made pistol and a cartridge.
The suspect allegedly told investigators that the pistol belonged to one Emir, who was subsequently traced to a hotel. Police said a double-barrel gun was recovered from the room allegedly occupied by Emir, who remains at large.
In another operation on August 18, police arrested Ibrahim Abidogun, 35, popularly known as “Shifon,” who was described by the command as a suspected member of the Aiye Confraternity.
A search of his residence in connection with alleged cult activities in the Aguda area of Surulere led to the recovery of a locally made pistol.
Two other suspected cultists, Sodiq Omotunde, 33, and Adeyemo Bilyaminu, 28, were also arrested at a dumpsite in Isolo following intelligence on the activities of suspected cult members. A locally made single-barrel pistol was recovered during the operation.
Four suspected cultists arrested at Ijeshatedo gathering
The command further arrested four suspected cultists following information that about 50 persons had gathered suspiciously in the Ijeshatedo area.
The gathering was allegedly linked to members of the Eiye Confraternity who were reportedly holding an annual celebration and allegedly planning to initiate new members.
Those arrested were Segun Hammed, 38; Adebite Afeez, 33; Daniel Olawale, 42; and Kazeem Babatunde, 43.
Police said two cutlasses and a battle axe were recovered from the suspects.
Preliminary investigation, according to the command, indicated that Hammed had recently assumed leadership of the group following an alleged handover by Babatunde in March 2026.
Trailer driver arrested over alleged diversion of goods
The command also arrested a trailer driver, Amisu Isah, following intelligence that a trailer loaded with goods had been parked in front of a church in Egbeda, where several mini-trucks were allegedly being used to evacuate the goods.
The police said operatives who arrived at the scene confirmed the information and arrested the driver.
A second truck allegedly used to transload some of the goods reportedly fled the scene, while an Acura SUV allegedly used by one of the fleeing suspects was recovered.
A search of the trailer led to the recovery of cartons of spaghetti. Further intelligence-led investigation resulted in the arrest of one of the fleeing suspects, identified as Emmanuel.
The command said it was investigating the ownership and destination of the goods and working to identify other persons allegedly involved in the suspected diversion.
Two suspected armed robbers arrested
The Commissioner further disclosed the arrest of Hammed Oniyi, 25, and Qudus Lawal, 19, following information that Oniyi was allegedly in possession of firearms and using them to rob residents in the neighbourhood.
Two locally made single-barrel pistols were recovered during the operation.
Fatai said preliminary investigation indicated that Oniyi was allegedly a member of the Aiye Confraternity and that the firearm was reportedly given to him by a suspect currently at large.
He said efforts were ongoing to arrest other suspects, adding that the case would be charged to court after the conclusion of investigations.
Police vow to protect critical infrastructure
The Commissioner said the command’s operations formed part of its broader strategy to prevent crime, protect critical infrastructure and safeguard residents, visitors and businesses across Lagos.
He expressed particular concern over the alleged vandalism of the Third Mainland Bridge and newly constructed Coastal Road, noting that such acts could cause significant financial losses and undermine major government projects aimed at improving transportation, connectivity and economic activity.
Fatai commended police personnel, members of the public, community leaders, government agencies and other stakeholders for providing information that supported the operations.
He also welcomed the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Engr. Olufemi Dare, to the briefing, describing his presence as a demonstration of the importance of inter-agency collaboration in protecting critical infrastructure.
The CP assured residents that the command would continue to deploy intelligence-led policing, targeted operations, surveillance and prompt response to credible information to disrupt criminal activities.
“Lagos will not be a safe haven for criminals,” he said, adding that suspects would be subjected to diligent investigation and those found culpable would be prosecuted in accordance with the law, with their fundamental rights respected.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to the police, stressing that credible information could help prevent crime and protect lives and property.
