…118 suspects arrested in April
By Bose Adelaja
CITIZENS COMPASS—Following the death of a 17-year-old Lagosians, Master Thomson Omokhafe Adams, Police in Lagos have arrested two suspected kidnappers in the Ikorodu Division, Lagos State.
The suspects were 23-year-old Elijah Emmanuel, and 21-year-old Tony Ekwane Oghanetega, who were arrested around the Lucky Fiber.
The arrest was carried out on April 27, 2026, at about 2000hrs, according to the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Tijani Olayiwola Fatai, at a press briefing which took place at the Command’s Headquarters on Wednesday.
CP Fatai said this was part of the achievements in the month of April, 2026.
According to him: On April 27, 2026, at about 2000hrs, operatives of the Command, acting on credible intelligence, traced and arrested two suspected kidnappers at Lucky Fibre Area, Ikorodu, Lagos. The suspects are Elijah Emmanuel ‘m’, aged 23 years, and Tony Ekwane Oghanetega ‘m’, aged 21 years. Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects are linked to the kidnapping and gruesome murder of one Thomson Omokhafe Adams ‘m’, aged 17 years, which occurred on April 22, 2026. Further interrogation also revealed that the suspects had earlier kidnapped and murdered a female victim on November 30, 2025, during which a ransom of Three Hundred Thousand Naira (₦300,000) was paid by the victim’s family.
The Commissioner of Police said Within the month under review, the Command arrested 118 suspects across the state, recovered 11 locally fabricated Baretta pistols, one locally made cut-to-size pistol, one English Barretta pistol, two dane guns and nine telecom power batteries.
Others were four cutlasses, one knife, 21 bags of substances suspected to be India hemp, assorted charms and other incriminating items.
The Commissioner gave a summary of some of the cases handled during the month thus:
On April 27, 2026, at about 1830hrs, operatives of the Command in a coordinated operation across Ilasan, Lekki, and Maroko axis, arrested fifty- eight (58) suspects linked to street crimes, traffic robbery, and harassment of residents. The suspects are alleged to have been responsible for phone snatching, armed attacks, and intimidation of innocent members of the public within the Lekki corridor. Several violence items were recovered from them. Investigation is ongoing, and all suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of profiling and investigation.
Following credible intelligence from Glo Nigeria on the theft of over 650 power assets between 2025 and 2026. Acting on intelligence, one Orji Emeka ‘m’ was arrested at Ikeja. The suspect confessed and led operatives to Alausa, where one Obiagwu Kingsley ‘m’ was arrested. Further investigation led to the arrest of another syndicate member, Oluwatosin Sani ‘m’, at Gbogbo area of Ikorodu, nine (9) telecom power batteries were recovered.
On April 22, 2026, between 0200hrs and 0450hrs, operatives of the Command carried out a crackdown operation on cult-related activities within Iwaya, Lagos. The operation led to the arrest of eight (8) suspected cultists linked to ongoing unlawful society activities within the area. Investigation is currently ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members and uncover further criminal activities connected to the suspects.
On April 28, 2026, at about 0630hrs, information was received that three young men riding on a motorcycle had dispossessed one Chiamaka ‘f’ of her belongings at Ayetoro Bus Stop. Operatives swiftly responded to the scene, leading to the arrest of one Destiny Garuba ‘m’, aged 25 years. Investigation is still ongoing to apprehend other suspects.
On April 12, 2026, credible intelligence was received that some unknown people conspired and murdered one Emmanuel Obioson ‘m’ around Ilasan area of Lagos State the victim was found lying lifeless at the scene of the attack. Detectives of the command swung into action. Further investigation led to the arrest of suspects in connection to the crime, are Promise Israel ‘m’, aged 28 years, Bright Aniedi ‘m’, aged 27 years, Fabulous John ‘m’, aged 25 years, Meshack Obili ‘m’, aged 24 years and Owolabi Idris ‘m’, aged 28 years. Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects are members of the Aiye Confraternity, while the deceased, Emmanuel Obioson, was identified as a member of the Eiye Confraternity. It was further discovered that one Lukman ‘m’, currently at large, allegedly shot the deceased in the head, while another suspect, Aluge ‘m’, used a stone to smash his head. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects and recover additional arms used in the operation.
On April 20, 2026, at about 1800hrs, operatives of the command arrested (20) suspects linked to various cult-related and armed robbery activities terrorizing Lagos Island. The suspects are alleged members of the Aiye and Eiye Confraternities and are believed to have participated in violent attacks recorded on April 10, 2026. The case will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigation.
On April 22, 2026, at about 1000hrs, operatives of the command arrested one Umar Muhammad Abubakar Sodiq ‘m’, aged 19 years, in connection with armed robbery. The suspect was initially found with a short cutlass while attempting to rob an unsuspecting member of the public on Anthony Bridge.
Further investigation led to the recovery of two (2) locally fabricated Baretta pistols. The suspect is in custody while investigation continues.
On April 19, 2026, at about 0500hrs, during a coordinated anti-crime operation at Christine Onyung Street, Ajao Estate, operatives arrested Emmanuel Ogbu ‘m’, aged 38 years and Obumneke Iromaka ‘m’, aged 40 years During interrogation, Emmanuel Ogbu confessed to being an ex-convict, previously convicted for cult-related offences in 2018. He further admitted returning to cult activities after serving his jail term.
On April 27, 2026, at about 1800hrs, operatives of the Festac Division arrested five (5) suspects to cult-related violence at an Hotel in Festac area. The suspects are Bashiru Ajibase ‘m’, aged 23 years, Covenant Edet ‘m’, aged 27 years, Jireh Essker ‘m’, aged 20 years, Akwuobi Emmanuel ‘m’, aged 22 years and Akingboju Opeyemi ‘m’, aged 20 years. Also arrested was Dennis Omoniyi ‘m’, aged 37 years, who was found to have issued threats to members of the public. During interrogation, he confessed to belonging to a dreaded cult group operating within Festac and its environs.
Following credible intelligence received by operatives of the Command, two (2) suspects were arrested in connection with unlawful possession and attempted sale of firearms. The suspects Mustapha Mohammed ‘m’, aged 20 years, a truck conductor who regularly shuttles between Kaduna and Lagos; and Sanusi Musa ‘m’, aged 20 years. Preliminary investigation revealed that at about 1725hrs on the same date, Mustapha Mohammed contacted Sanusi Musa to source for a buyer for the firearm. Acting swiftly on the intelligence, operatives apprehended both suspects during the process. Recovered from the suspects were One Beretta pistol. During interrogation, the suspects mentioned one Umaru Naeem, resident in Kaduna State, as the principal suspect and owner of the recovered pistol.
Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspect.
In continuation of the Command’s sustained operational engagements and ongoing mop-up of illegal arms, Police operatives across various formations recorded notable successes through coordinated intelligence-led operations. During the operations, the following exhibits were recovered: locally made pistols, and other items believed to have been used for criminal activities.
These recoveries further underscore the Command’s proactive determination to rid Lagos State of illegal firearms, disrupt criminal networks, and enhance public safety. Investigation is ongoing to apprehend other suspects connected with the recovered exhibits and ensure they are brought to justice. These recoveries further demonstrate the Command’s determination to dismantle criminal networks and strengthen public safety across Lagos State.
