UPDATED: LAGOS POLICE ARREST 27 SUSPECTS FOR MURDER, KIDNAPPING, ARMED ROBBERY, OTHERS

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By: Sefiu Ajape

…2 Firearms, 7 Rounds of ammunition, Vehicle, Tricycle, 3 axes, 3 cutlasses, charms, others recovered

The Lagos State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of 27 suspects involved in heinous crimes including rape, cultism, kidnapping, murder, defilement, armed robbery, and cable vandalism in a statewide crackdown that spanned from April 27 to May 6, 2025.

Speaking at a press briefing on Monday, May 12, 2025, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, said the arrests, which were carried out over the past two weeks, followed intelligence reports, distress calls, and rapid response efforts by various police units.

—Gang Rape in Amukoko—

On April 27, 2025, at about 9:00 p.m., detectives received a report from a 15-year-old female survivor that she was lured from Orile to Yusuf Esan in Amukoko by one Kalid and gang-raped by him and seven others. Police operatives quickly mobilized to the scene and arrested three suspects: Awali Alabi (20), Saliu Anafi (18), and Basit Nurudeen (16), while others fled. The survivor is receiving medical attention at General Hospital, Suru-Alaba. Investigation is ongoing.

—Cult Attack and Rescue in Alagbado—

Earlier that same day at about 1:30 p.m., operatives responded to a distress call in the Alagbado area where a 25-year-old man, Quadri, was attacked with machetes by suspected cultists. The victim, who was reportedly targeted for refusing to join a cult group, was rescued and taken to General Hospital, Ile-Epo. Two suspects—Riliwan Afuape (26) and Bamidele Ayobami (29)—were arrested at the scene.

—Armed Robbery and Murder in Ajegunle—

On April 28, 2025, at about 7:00 a.m., two suspected robbers were caught and beaten by an angry mob in the Suru Alaba Community of Ajegunle. Police rescued the suspects—Azeez Anafi (aka “Stainless”) and Damilare Brown (25)—from lynching. A locally made pistol and a suspected stolen tricycle were recovered. Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects shot and killed a motorcycle rider, Abubakar (35), during a robbery attempt. His body has been deposited at a public morgue.

—Cultists Arrested in Sabo-Yaba—

On April 29, 2025, at about 1:30 a.m., eight suspected cultists were arrested in Sabo-Yaba following credible intelligence. The suspects—Ayomide Daniel (30), Afeez Enitan (28), Mayor Samson (28), Olamilekan Adeagbo (26, aka “Skinny”), Quadri Sikiru (26), Mariam Salihu (23), Adeyemo Abdulsamad (24, aka “Cloud”), and Basit Ishola (20)—were found in possession of a Beretta pistol with four live rounds, an unexpended cartridge, two battle axes, and two cutlasses. They are linked to multiple cult-related killings around Yaba College of Technology.

—Defilement Cases in Amukoko and Surulere—

Later on April 29, detectives arrested Peter Onehi (48) in the Amukoko area for allegedly defiling his physically challenged 16-year-old daughter. He was caught indecently assaulting the girl. She has been taken for medical evaluation at General Hospital, Ajeromi.

In a separate incident reported on April 30, a woman accused her husband, Best Orji (39), of repeatedly defiling their two daughters, aged 14 and 12, in Surulere. Following investigation and medical examination at a Sexual Assault Referral Center (SARC), the suspect was arraigned on May 9 for defilement under Section 137 of the Lagos State Criminal Law.

—Kidnapping Foiled in Apapa—

On May 1, 2025, a 14-year-old boy, Hassan, was kidnapped at Olodi-Apapa. The kidnappers demanded ₦20 million ransom. Police operatives tracked and arrested one suspect, Musa Shaibu (25), at the ransom collection point. The victim was rescued unharmed from a hotel in Ajegunle, where the hotel manager, Remilekun Ajilola (41), was also arrested.

—Vehicle Theft Foiled in Agege—

That same night at about 9:40 p.m., officers intercepted three suspects—Oluwafemi Oladapo (28), Idris Mustapha (28), and Sefianu Usman (29)—attempting to sell a stolen black KIA Cerato at Oke-Koto in Agege. The vehicle had been removed from Alapere-Ketu. It was recovered and returned to its rightful owner.

—Murder in Ijegun and Sangotedo—

On May 1, a woman, Precious Anegbeode, allegedly stabbed her partner, Damilola, during a heated argument in Ijegun. He later died at Alimosho General Hospital. The suspect was arrested and the knife used in the crime was recovered.

Another murder was reported on May 6 when Philip Ogbuehi (46) allegedly punched a man during an altercation over passage rights at a lounge in Ogidan, Sangotedo. The victim collapsed and was confirmed dead at a hospital. Ogbuehi has been arrested, and the body is in the morgue awaiting autopsy.

—Foiled Robbery in Onikan—

On May 3, police foiled a robbery attempt near Onikan Stadium. Two suspects—Noah Olaniyi (30) and Ojo Samuel (25)—were arrested while attempting to rob a passerby. A live cartridge was found in their possession. Investigation is ongoing to apprehend their accomplices.

—Cable Vandalism in Ijegun—

On May 6, at about 2:20 a.m., officers arrested two men—Jemilu Abdullahi (28) and Samsondeen Isiaku (20)—while vandalizing street light cables along Ijegun-Jakande Road. Vandalized cables were recovered from them, while one accomplice fled.

The police spokesman, reaffirmed Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Moshood Jimoh’s commitment to combating crime within the state.

“All suspects are to be charged to court at the conclusion of investigation.

“We would like to use this medium to assure all residents and visitors to Lagos State that under the leadership of the Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Moshood Jimoh, crime and criminality would be brought to a minimum as we would continue to ensure optimal management and deployment of human and operational resources across the entire length and breadth of the State.

“We implore Lagosians not to hesitate to contact the police if they see any suspicious activities around them”, it said.