Dipo Kehinde/
In a bold and decisive move to reclaim Lagos from criminal elements, the new Commissioner of Police, Ishola Olanrewaju, today paraded 98 suspected criminals at his inaugural media briefing, marking his first week in office.
Olanrewaju, making it clear that his approach would be proactive rather than passive, vowed to “smoke out” criminals from the state rather than plead for their departure.
The commissioner, in an unprecedented display of the Lagos State Police Command’s crime-fighting capabilities, revealed how prepared his team is to dismantle criminal networks across the state.
He also announced a partnership with road transport unions to curb the menace of “one-chance” robberies by ensuring all commercial buses are tagged and identifiable.
“Whoever enters a bus must know the bus they are boarding,” he said, highlighting the importance of this initiative in ensuring public safety.
During the briefing at the Command Headquarters in Ikeja, Olanrewaju shared the outcomes of several coordinated police operations that have sent shockwaves through Lagos’ criminal underworld. The operations led to the arrest of suspects involved in crimes ranging from armed robbery and cultism to kidnapping and drug trafficking.
Among the notable seizures were dangerous weapons, narcotics, and stolen goods, including firearms, ammunition, and $402 in cash, along with 39 bags of stolen rice—evidence of the deep infiltration of organized crime in everyday life.
One of the highlighted major achievements under Olanrewaju’s leadership was the takedown of several armed robbery gangs, including a group notorious for motorcycle thefts in Ikoyi and another involved in nighttime assaults on female passengers.
Additionally, a 21-year-old kidnapping victim, for whom a N10 million ransom had been demanded, was safely rescued without injury—a testament to the swift and coordinated efforts of the command’s operatives.
The police also apprehended cultists connected to killings in areas such as Ikorodu, Ajegunle, and Epe, and recovered a stolen Toyota Highlander reported missing since 2022. These breakthroughs underscore CP Olanrewaju’s commitment to tackling crime head-on, providing a renewed sense of security for Lagosians.
“We recovered 10 firearms, 41 rounds of live ammunition, 12 phones, a vehicle, a laptop, and substances suspected to be hard drugs,” the CP said, emphasizing the breadth of the command’s recent operations.
Olanrewaju also sent a strong message to his officers, pledging zero tolerance for corruption within the force.
“Any policeman caught engaging in extortion will not be spared,” he warned, reinforcing his stance on integrity within the command.
The scale and intensity of these operations reflect the commissioner’s resolve to leave no stone unturned in restoring order to Lagos. He assured the public that the police would continue working closely with other security agencies and urged residents to remain vigilant, encouraging them to report suspicious activities.
From rescuing kidnapped victims to dismantling criminal hideouts, CP Olanrewaju is fast becoming the “smoking gun” in Lagos’ fight against crime. With his iron-fisted leadership and clear vision, the streets of Lagos—once plagued by violence and fear—are steadily being reclaimed, one arrest at a time.
As the command moves forward under his watch, it’s evident that CP Olanrewaju is a force to be reckoned with, steering Lagos toward a future of safety and peace.
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