Lagos Police Intercept Truck Loaded with Military Uniforms and Drugs
The Lagos State Police Command has recorded major operational successes in June 2026, arresting suspects linked to armed robbery, cultism, impersonation of soldiers, and illegal immigration. In a press briefing on Tuesday, June 23, Commissioner of Police CP Tijani Fatai disclosed that operatives recovered 14 firearms, 51 mobile phones, 47 sacks of military camouflage uniforms, and 80 cartons of suspected illicit substances during intelligence-led operations across the state.
Among the most significant seizures, operatives from the Anti-Kidnapping Unit arrested three suspects—Chinedu David, Ezeagwu Chukwuma, and Ifeanyi Ogbeanyi—and recovered an unregistered MAN diesel truck loaded with 47 sacks of military camouflage uniforms and 80 cartons of suspected illicit substances. Preliminary investigation revealed the truck was allegedly being transported to the eastern part of the country.
Fake Soldiers and Firearms Recovered
Two suspected fake soldiers, Mercy Odundo and Joshua Ayomide, were arrested after intelligence indicated they were wearing military uniforms and concealing a pump-action gun. Investigations confirmed neither was a member of the Nigerian Army. Additionally, a suspect linked to a 'One Chance' robbery syndicate was arrested, and 51 mobile phones suspected of being proceeds of previous criminal operations were recovered from him.
On Friday, June 12, operatives arrested four men identified as members of the Eiye Confraternity, recovering an English Beretta pistol loaded with 10 live rounds and a locally made pistol. On Monday, June 22, three suspects were arrested in connection with an armed robbery in which a victim sustained gunshot injuries, and one locally made pistol and four cartridges used during the attack were recovered.
38 Foreign Nationals Rescued in Epe
On Wednesday, June 17, operatives rescued 38 foreign nationals from possible mob action in the Epe area of Lagos. The group comprised Chadians, Burkinabes, Beninoise, Malians, Togolese, Cameroonians, and one Ghanaian. Preliminary investigation revealed that 20 of the individuals had entered Nigeria illegally, while 18 held valid ECOWAS travel documents. The matter was referred to the relevant embassies and the Nigerian Immigration Service.
Two cable vandals were also arrested while vandalising electric cables on the Third Mainland Bridge. A dismissed soldier, Ishaya Barnabas, was processed for prosecution after military authorities confirmed he had been discharged from the 202 Battalion in Borno state on September 20, 2024, while he continued to impersonate a serving serviceman.
Police Vow to Sustain Operations
CP Fatai said the command would sustain its operational tempo, urging Lagos residents to continue sharing credible information with police to support crime prevention efforts. 'There will be no safe haven for criminal elements within the state,' Fatai said. The Lagos State Police Command also addressed a recent suspected IED scare in Mushin, which was assessed and resolved by its Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN) Unit. CP Fatai visited the area for an on-the-spot inspection after receiving reports of a possible explosion in the early hours of Monday, June 22.
