The Lagos State Police Command has uncovered a network of sophisticated criminal activities, recovering cash and assets valued at more than N300 million linked to a massive fuel theft syndicate worth over N1 billion.
Police operatives also exposed a fabricated kidnapping scheme allegedly masterminded by a scrap metal dealer to swindle his employer. In addition, authorities arrested the main suspect connected to the theft of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) belonging to MEA Energy, estimated at N1,028,825,520. The arrests and recoveries were carried out during operations conducted in May.
Addressing journalists at the command headquarters in Ikeja on Tuesday, Commissioner of Police, Fatai Tijani, disclosed that detectives spent 12 days tracking the prime suspect in the fuel theft case, identified as 38-year-old Chibuzor Mogbo, who had escaped to Delta State before his arrest.
According to the CP, the suspect confessed to the crime and assisted investigators in tracing cash and properties worth over N300 million allegedly acquired from the proceeds of the fraud. He added that another suspect, Jessica Anyincha, is still on the run.
In a separate incident, police uncovered a staged abduction involving a scrap dealer, Adamu Abdullahi, who allegedly plotted his own kidnapping in a bid to extort N1.5 million from his employer. Abdullahi reportedly circulated a video showing himself being assaulted while ransom demands were made.
Investigators, however, became suspicious after noticing inconsistencies in the case, particularly the absence of injuries when the suspect returned home. He later admitted to planning the fake kidnapping alongside three accomplices.
The police commissioner revealed that officers recovered N490,000 allegedly diverted earlier from the employer’s business funds.
The command also arrested a suspected cult figure, 31-year-old Waliu Olaleye, believed to be a key member of the Aiye Confraternity. Police said a locally-made double-barrel pistol concealed in the ceiling of his residence in Igando was recovered during the operation.
Similarly, a driver identified as Akintayo Wasiu, 57, was apprehended in Ibadan for allegedly stealing his employer’s Toyota Hiace bus. Police said he falsified the vehicle’s documents and changed his phone number in an attempt to evade arrest.
Overall, the command arrested 10 suspects within the month and recovered several weapons and other exhibits, including a double-barrel pump-action gun, three AK-47 rifles, two submachine guns, one revolver, a short pistol, one fabricated pistol, and three locally-made pistols. Officers also seized six magazines, 42 rounds of live ammunition, a dummy gun, a TVS motorcycle, an axe, stolen vehicles, and other dangerous items.
Reaffirming the command’s commitment to tackling crime, the police boss said: “There will be no hiding place for criminal elements within the state,” while calling on residents to continue providing useful information to security agencies.
Providing an update on the attempted kidnapping at Jakande Estate Gate on Sunday night, CP Tijani said four members of the gang were killed during a gun battle with police operatives, while another suspect escaped with gunshot injuries.
He described the gang as a notorious kidnapping syndicate known for targeting wealthy individuals in Lagos. According to him, the group’s leader, identified as Ifeanyi, also known as Ifeko, allegedly had connections with Henry Asoona, the leader of the billionaire kidnappers neutralised at Ladipo International Spare Parts Market in 2024.
The commissioner further disclosed that Ifeanyi had been based abroad and recently returned to Lagos to coordinate the operation.
Recovered from the scene were a Toyota Sienna vehicle, an AK-47 rifle with two magazines and 25 rounds of live ammunition, as well as an SMG rifle loaded with 12 rounds of ammunition. Police also recovered keys belonging to Toyota Corolla and Lexus vehicles.
“An Inspector of Police sustained a gunshot wound to the left leg during the exchange and is receiving treatment in hospital. Efforts were ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspect and other accomplices,” he added.
