Police arrest 47, nab 18-year-old over N20m ransom plot

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested 47 suspects in a series of operations across the state, including an 18-year-old apprehended while attempting to collect a N20 million ransom.

Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai, disclosed this on Tuesday during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters in Ikeja, where items recovered from various crime scenes were displayed.

He said the arrests were linked to offences such as armed robbery, cultism, conspiracy, stealing, threat to life, and unlawful possession of firearms.

Fatai added that the Command recorded a hitch-free Easter celebration with no major security breach, attributing the development to proactive deployment of personnel and collaboration with other security agencies and residents.

According to him, exhibits recovered during the operations include 14 firearms—comprising 10 locally made guns and four pump-action rifles—96 rounds of 5.2mm ammunition, 29 live cartridges and one expended cartridge, 14 vehicles, two laptops, 29 mobile phones, and a flash drive.

Providing details on the 18-year-old suspect, Fatai said the teenager, identified as Israel Osanwuta, was arrested on March 27 during a decoy operation following a complaint from Ojokoro Local Council Development Area over a threat to life and a demand for N20 million ransom.

“He was apprehended at about 10:55 pm while attempting to collect the ransom. Recovered from him were an HP laptop and a flash drive. The suspect has confessed to the crime and admitted involvement in a previous attempted burglary at a commercial bank,” the CP said.

In another operation, police arrested a suspected armed robber, Jamiu Yahaya, also known as “Elesin,” in Amukoko. A locally made pistol, two live cartridges, and charms were recovered from him.

A 23-year-old suspected cultist, Sunday Daniel, was also arrested in Ajegunle, with a locally made pistol recovered. The suspect allegedly confessed to being a member of the Aiye confraternity.

Fatai further said 21 suspected cultists were apprehended at a hotel in Ajao Estate during a birthday gathering for a wanted gang member known as “Actor,” who is currently at large. Recovered items include a cut-to-size gun, cult-branded items, a laptop, and 23 mobile phones.

The Commissioner also disclosed the arrest of five members of a car theft syndicate, with a Toyota Sienna and Toyota Camry recovered, as well as three suspects involved in vehicle vandalisation.

He said a 52-year-old suspect, Adedayo Bello, was arrested for allegedly concealing a firearm and ammunition inside a pillow, with 96 rounds of ammunition recovered.