The Nigeria Police Force, Lagos State Command, has announced the recovery of 36 stolen exotic vehicles and the arrest of several suspects involved in car theft, advanced fee fraud, and cult-related violence. The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Olohundare Jimoh, made this known during a press briefing held at the Command Headquarters in Ikeja, where he gave a detailed account of the Command’s recent operations and successes in crime prevention and law enforcement.
The recovered vehicles, some worth hundreds of millions of naira, were stolen from various parts of the country and traced to Lagos, where they were either sold, concealed, or prepared for illegal export. CP Jimoh disclosed that some of the vehicles were fraudulently acquired, others snatched from unsuspecting owners, while several were diverted by trusted drivers and operatives in breach of contractual agreements.
Investigations revealed that the vehicles were recovered from locations within and outside Lagos, with many suspects apprehended in connection with the criminal syndicates responsible for the operations. CP Jimoh added that approximately 70 additional vehicles remain under investigation, as efforts to dismantle the networks behind these crimes continue.
He called on Nigerians, particularly residents of Lagos and neighbouring states who may have lost vehicles through theft, to visit the Command with verifiable proof of ownership to facilitate proper identification and recovery.
In a related development, CP Jimoh announced the arrest of over 20 suspects linked to cultism and violent crimes. Notably, a key figure identified as Wasiu, also known by the alias “Aka”, is currently in police custody. He was arrested with five AK-47 rifles and has reportedly confessed to his role in multiple killings across the state. At least ten bereaved families have come forward with testimonies implicating him in the deaths of their loved ones.
The Commissioner affirmed that Wasiu and his accomplices would be prosecuted for murder and illegal possession of firearms, among other charges. He emphasized the Command’s zero-tolerance policy on cultism and noted that special anti-cultism squads have been deployed across all 14 area commands in Lagos to combat the menace.
These squads, fully equipped and backed by the Inspector General of Police, have begun coordinated operations aimed at dismantling cult groups, arresting their leaders, and prosecuting members for crimes ranging from assault and arson to homicide and unlawful assembly.
CP Jimoh further highlighted the significant drop in violent crime across Lagos since the implementation of new policing strategies under his leadership. He reported that no major armed robbery incidents have been recorded in recent months, attributing the improvement to enhanced operational capacity, real-time response systems, and strategic community engagement.
He acknowledged the vital support of the Lagos State Government, under the leadership of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for the provision of operational equipment, vehicles, communication tools, and other logistics that have improved the Command’s effectiveness. CP Jimoh also extended gratitude to public-spirited individuals whose timely intelligence reports have enabled swift and coordinated police responses.
The Commissioner noted that the average police response time to emergency distress calls in Lagos has improved to approximately five minutes—a development made possible by expanded communication infrastructure and the professionalism of officers on duty.
Furthermore, the Command has intensified patrols in coastal and border communities with the deployment of the Coastal Crime Response Team, which has grown from five units to 19. These specialized units, he explained, work in close synergy with the state’s Rapid Response Squad (RRS) to quickly neutralize threats in flashpoints and maintain law and order.
Assuring residents and visitors of continued safety, CP Jimoh urged the public to remain vigilant and law-abiding. He encouraged them to report any suspicious activities or security threats to police control rooms for immediate response, rather than contacting senior officers directly, which may delay emergency intervention.
In his final remarks, the Commissioner reiterated the unwavering commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to secure the lives and property of all citizens. “Lagos is not a haven for criminals. We will identify them, isolate them, and ensure they face the full weight of the law,” he said.
The Federal Government continues to support and commend the efforts of the Nigeria Police Force in upholding national security and protecting the welfare of all Nigerians.
Reporting by Niran Odufayo