By Christopher Oji
The Lagos State Command has busted several gangs of armed robbers who targeted and killed private commercial vehicle operators, including Bolt, Uber, Lagride, and others in the state. The police also recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition from the arrested suspects during the period under review.
Members of these gangs were reportedly responsible for the killings of private commercial vehicle operators in different parts of Lagos.
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olanrewaju Ishola, revealed that the command prosecuted offenders for 2,176 offences in the last quarter of 2024 and early 2025. The police chief, who briefed the press on the command’s achievements during this period at the command headquarters in Ikeja, stated that three policemen lost their lives during this time.
Forty-three suspects were arrested for various criminal activities, including armed robbery, cultism, murder, child abuse, kidnapping, and illegal possession of firearms.
Ishola recounted how gangs of suspects contacted Uber and other private commercial vehicle operators to rob them of their vehicles and kill them.
He said, “On January 9, 2025, at about 12 am, a case of conspiracy, armed robbery, and murder was reported. One Emeka Akwara, 19, David Segun, 21, Samuel Ariori, 21, and Lukman Ariori, 19, ordered the services of Uber at Chevron in the Lekki area en route to Obalende.
“On getting to Obalende, in a lonely area, they robbed and killed the Uber driver by stabbing him multiple times in the neck. Unfortunately, they were unable to snatch the vehicle. With the intervention of good Nigerians within the environment, two suspects were immediately arrested and handed over to police operatives attached to Lion Building.
“Investigation further led to the arrest of the other two fleeing suspects of the dangerous gang in the Chevron area of Lagos.
“Another Uber driver was killed in similar circumstances. We investigated and brought to book one Edmond Julius Abdoulaye and one Saturday Okey in connection with the crime. The Toyota Camry was recovered and handed over to the family. The case was charged to court, but unfortunately, the driver was killed.
“Just two days ago, four young men flagged down a ride and killed the Uber driver.
“I would like to tell Lagosians, especially people involved in this Uber thing, Taxify, Lagride, and all these services, to be wary of their passengers. If possible, don’t carry more than one passenger at a time and insist such a person is searched and made to sit in the front with you. This is our advice.
“We will summon all drivers in such activities to give them some security tips to avoid falling victim to these criminals.
“This is just the third incident reported or detected in three months. We don’t know how many more have happened. Such cases of brutality are increasing.
“Unfortunately, cases of murder through cultism and cult-related activities are also on the rise. As a responsive force, we always arrest perpetrators, but we don’t believe in jungle justice.
“On July 17, 2024, at about 17:00hrs, one Awalu and Emmanuel were brutally murdered at Ijora Badia by rival cult members.
“On October 15, 2024, based on intelligence, one Samuel Ojenuga, aged 22, a member of the Aye Confraternity, was arrested. He confessed to killing about 12 Eiye confraternity members at Orita School, Ijora Oloye Area of Lagos. His accomplice, Abdullahi Yusuf, also confessed to the killing of three persons named Big Sam, Emmanuel, and Okokobovbi at Railway Crossing in Ijora Badia, Lagos.
“On December 27, 2024, at 14 Idunsagbe Street, Lagos Island, information was received about a bag sighted on a rooftop at this address. Two AK-47 rifles, breach numbers 52573, 4004855, and 07003-853 K2 assault rifle, all without magazines and ammunition, were recovered.”