Ikeja, Lagos – July 5, 2024
At a press briefing held on Friday, July 5, 2024, the Lagos State Police Command, under the leadership of Commissioner of Police Adegoke Fayoade, announced a significant victory against a notorious kidnapping gang in Lagos. The gang had been plotting to abduct several high-net-worth individuals in the city.
Commissioner Fayoade revealed that two weeks ago, intelligence assets provided credible information about the gang’s plans. Acting on this intelligence, CP Fayoade directed the Command’s tactical teams to monitor the situation closely. They discovered that the gang intended to strike on Thursday, July 4, 2024, in the Ladipo area.
Armed with this crucial information, the police set up an ambush for the kidnappers. The gang, caught off guard, engaged in a shoot-out with the police but were overpowered. Nine gang members were neutralized, while two others escaped with gunshot injuries. The police recovered four AK-47 rifles, four locally-made semi-automatic pistols, nine AK-47 magazines, three walkie-talkies, a POS machine, a loudspeaker, and two operational vehicles: a black Toyota 4Runner and a blue Lexus RX350. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.
CP Fayoade highlighted that the Command had been tracking this gang for eight months due to their involvement in multiple kidnappings in Isolo, Okota, Ejigbo, and Ladipo areas. This operation marks the end of their terrorizing activities.
This successful operation is part of a series of recent breakthroughs by the Command in identifying and apprehending criminal gangs before they could execute their plans. Many of these successes have been kept confidential to protect the identities of informants.
The Command urged medical practitioners and the public to report anyone with gunshot injuries to the nearest police station or via emergency numbers. Commissioner Fayoade encouraged Lagosians to continue providing valuable information about suspicious activities, assuring them that their safety and security remain the top priority for the police.
“We urge everyone to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to help us maintain peace and security in Lagos State,” CP Fayoade stated. “We promise to continue prioritizing the safety and security of all residents.”
The Lagos State Police Command remains committed to safeguarding the lives and properties of its citizens, with ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal networks across the state.
