Lagos State Police Command Foils Major Kidnapping Plot, Neutralizes Nine Suspects

In a significant breakthrough, the Lagos State Police Command, under the leadership of Commissioner of Police Adegoke Fayoade, has announced the successful disruption of a major kidnapping operation targeting high-net-worth individuals in Lagos. This operation, conducted on Thursday, July 4, 2024, marks a substantial victory in the ongoing fight against organized crime in the state.

During a press briefing held at the Command Headquarters in Ikeja on Friday, July 5, 2024, Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin detailed the events leading up to the operation. “Our intelligence gathering assets yielded very credible and actionable intelligence about a dangerous and notorious gang of kidnappers planning to abduct high-net-worth individuals in Lagos,” he said.

Acting on this intelligence, received two weeks prior, CP Fayoade directed the Command’s tactical teams to closely monitor the gang’s activities. Their diligent surveillance revealed that the gang intended to strike in the Ladipo area on Thursday. Forewarned, the police set up an ambush for the suspects.

When the kidnappers arrived, they were met with a prepared and formidable police force. Despite engaging in a shoot-out, the gang succumbed to the superior firepower of the police. Nine suspects were neutralized, while two escaped with gunshot injuries. Recovered from the scene were four AK-47 rifles, four locally-made semi-automatic pistols, nine AK-47 magazines, three walkie-talkies, one POS machine, and a loudspeaker. The police also seized two operational vehicles used by the gang: a black Toyota 4Runner and a blue Lexus RX350.

“The Command had been on the trail of this gang for the past eight months for their numerous kidnappings of wealthy individuals in Isolo, Okota, Ejigbo, and Ladipo areas of Lagos State,” SP Hundeyin stated. “We are proud to declare that their reign of terror has effectively come to an end.”

This successful operation is part of a series of breakthroughs by the Command in recent times. Many of these operations were not publicized to protect the identities of informants.

SP Hundeyin urged medical practitioners and the public to be vigilant for anyone with gunshot injuries and to promptly inform the nearest police station or use the Command’s emergency numbers if they encounter such individuals. He also called on Lagosians to continue providing information about suspicious activities, emphasizing the Command’s commitment to their safety and security.