Lagos police arrest 147 suspects, recover weapons, cartridges in criminal hideout raids

By Esther Onyegbula

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested 147 suspects and recovered various weapons, including 250 expanded cartridges, 22 machetes, battle axes, knives, charms and substances suspected to be Indian hemp during raids on criminal hideouts across the state.

The operation, carried out under the ongoing Operation KO S’AYE III, was conducted at about 5:30 a.m. on Sunday, July 19, 2026, by a joint team of police operatives from different formations of the command.

The operatives, acting on credible intelligence, raided suspected criminal hideouts at Boolar, Super Ile-Epo and other identified black spots in the area as part of efforts to clamp down on hoodlums and criminal elements allegedly terrorising residents.

In a statement on Monday, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, said the operation led to the arrest of 147 suspects and the recovery of several exhibits.

Items recovered during the raids included 250 expanded cartridges, five battle axes, 22 machetes, two knives, one pair of scissors, one lighter, assorted charms and substances suspected to be Indian hemp.

The command said the suspects were currently in police custody, adding that investigations were ongoing to establish their individual involvement in criminal activities.

“Those found to have committed criminal offences will be prosecuted accordingly,” the statement added.

The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Tijani Fatai, commended the officers involved in the operation for their professionalism and commitment to duty.

Fatai assured residents that Operation KO S’AYE III would be sustained across the state to deny criminals safe havens and strengthen security.

He also urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to assist in identifying criminal hideouts, apprehending offenders and improving safety across Lagos State.

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