Lagos arraigns over 100 suspects after 130 arrested in Lekki, Ajah raid

The Lagos State Government has arraigned more than 100 suspects before the Lagos State Special Offences Mobile Court following a security operation that led to the arrest of about 130 people in parts of Victoria Island, Lekki and Ajah.

The suspects were brought before the court sitting in Bolade, Oshodi, on allegations bordering on breach of public peace, unlawful conversion of government property for personal use and conduct likely to cause a breakdown of law and order.

The arrests followed an early-morning enforcement operation conducted on Friday, September 4, 2026, by operatives of the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Agency (LNSA).

The operation, which began between 2am and 4am, was reportedly carried out along the Victoria Island-Lekki-Ajah axis and parts of the Coastal Road.

According to the state government, the operation was launched as part of efforts to address alleged criminal activities and maintain public safety in the affected areas.

The LNSA General Manager, Dr Ifalade Oyekan, led the operation, which was supported by officials of Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) and an armed detachment of the Nigeria Police Force.

The operation was also facilitated by the Chief Security Officer to the Lagos State Governor, Kunle Fagbemi.

Following the arrests, the suspects were screened and profiled as part of the process of determining those who would face prosecution.

The government had described those arrested as suspected hoodlums, but the allegations against individual defendants remain subject to determination by the court.

During the court proceedings, the prosecution was led by Oluwabusola Omotunde on behalf of the Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.

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The prosecution told the court that the defendants were arrested during the overnight operation and subsequently brought before the Mobile Court to answer the charges against them.

Some of the defendants pleaded guilty to the charges, while others pleaded not guilty.

The Chief Magistrate of the Mobile Court, F.J. Adefioye, stressed the importance of deterrence while ensuring that the proceedings complied with due process.

Defendants who pleaded guilty to Counts I and II were sentenced to one month and two months of community service or imprisonment, respectively. The sentences were ordered to run consecutively.

However, defendants who pleaded not guilty were granted bail with two sureties each, pending further proceedings in their respective cases.

The arrests and subsequent arraignment form part of the Lagos State Government’s broader efforts to tackle activities it considers capable of threatening public order and safety.

The LNSA said the operation was also intended to protect residents, motorists and legitimate businesses operating along some of the state’s busiest corridors.

The agency said it had received reports of criminal activities allegedly targeting motorists, particularly during periods of traffic congestion, prompting the enforcement action.

Oyekan said the agency would continue to work with residents and other security agencies to strengthen intelligence gathering and respond to security concerns across communities.

He also indicated that similar joint operations could be sustained at strategic locations across Lagos as part of efforts to deter criminal activities.

The LNSA management has also linked its community policing strategy to the state’s broader push for stronger grassroots security and improved response to security threats.

Meanwhile, the Coordinator of the Lagos State Special Offences Mobile Court, Olufemi Adekunle, said the court would continue to handle cases brought before it in accordance with the law.

Adekunle reaffirmed the government’s commitment to maintaining law and order while protecting residents, businesses and public spaces across Lagos.

He added that similar Mobile Court sittings would continue across the state to ensure that alleged offenders were promptly brought before the court.

The latest development comes amid renewed enforcement activities across Lagos aimed at curbing public disorder and other activities authorities consider a threat to safety.

For the defendants who pleaded not guilty, the allegations remain unproven until the court reaches a final determination.

Lagos arraigns over 100 suspects after 130 arrested in Lekki, Ajah raid

NNPC Disowns Cannabis-Laden Tanker, Threatens Legal Action Over Brand Misuse

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has distanced itself from a 20,000-litre fuel tanker intercepted by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) with 2,145 kilogrammes of cannabis concealed in a secret compartment in Ondo State, while threatening legal action against those behind the alleged unauthorised use of its corporate identity.

The company, in a statement issued on Monday by its Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Andy Odeh, said preliminary checks revealed that the vehicle, with registration number MKA 960 XC, was neither owned by NNPC Ltd. nor part of its official fleet or that of any of its authorised dealers. The logo displayed on the vehicle was also inconsistent with the company’s current official branding, and the truck was not listed in its asset database.

The operation took place on September 4, 2026, along the Akoko–Lokoja Expressway in Ondo State after NDLEA operatives reportedly pursued the tanker when its driver refused to stop for inspection. According to the agency, the driver later abandoned the vehicle at a church premises in Ugbe Akoko and fled into the bush. A search of the tanker uncovered 165 bags of cannabis weighing 2,145kg concealed in a false compartment alongside what the NDLEA described as a legitimate fuel cargo destined for Jos, Plateau State. The agency noted that the tanker had allegedly evaded arrest in previous operations.

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NNPC said it was engaging with the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) to obtain further information and establish the circumstances surrounding the use of its old branding on the vehicle. The company vowed to take the matter seriously, warning that it would explore legal action against individuals or syndicates attempting to exploit its corporate identity as a cover for criminal operations. “NNPC Ltd. takes any unauthorised use of its corporate identity seriously, particularly where such use may be associated with unlawful activity. The Company remains committed to protecting the integrity of its brand and ensuring that its name, trademarks and other corporate identifiers are not misused.” The national oil company said it would cooperate fully with the NDLEA and other relevant security agencies in investigating the incident, including determining the actual ownership and operation of the truck and how NNPC markings came to be displayed on it.

NNPC commended the NDLEA for its vigilance and professionalism in uncovering the illicit consignment. The company reiterated its support for the NDLEA’s efforts to combat illicit drug trafficking and pledged to provide all necessary cooperation to ensure that the facts surrounding the incident were conclusively established. The company also urged members of the public and relevant authorities to verify the ownership or affiliation of vehicles purporting to belong to NNPC through appropriate official channels.

NNPC Disowns Cannabis-Laden Tanker, Threatens Legal Action Over Brand Misuse

Bauchi Man, 25, Allegedly Shoots Friend Dead With Dane Gun During Quarrel

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a 25-year-old man, Jabir Yusuf, for allegedly shooting and killing his friend, Hassan Mohamed, also 25, with a Dane gun in Toro Local Government Area of the state.

The tragic incident occurred on Monday, September 7, 2026, at approximately 11:30 a.m. in Rinjin Gura village, Zalau Ward, following a disagreement between the two friends. According to a statement issued by the command’s spokesperson, SP Nafiu Habib, a distress report was received at the Rishi Divisional Police Headquarters from a resident that Yusuf had allegedly fired a Dane gun at Mohamed, striking him in the neck. Police operatives from the nearby Gumau Division rushed the victim to Toro General Hospital for medical treatment. However, he was later pronounced dead by a medical doctor on duty. Mohamed’s body was subsequently identified, documented, and released to his family for burial in accordance with Islamic rites. The suspect was arrested by police, and the Dane gun allegedly used in the attack was recovered as an exhibit. The case has since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Bauchi for a discreet investigation and possible prosecution.

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The Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, expressed condolences to the deceased’s family and directed investigators to thoroughly establish the circumstances surrounding the incident. Aliyu also cautioned residents against the unlawful possession and careless handling of firearms, warning that anyone found violating the law would face prosecution. The command further appealed to members of the public to provide credible and timely information to the police to support efforts to safeguard lives and property across the state.

The incident in Toro comes just days after another fatal Dane gun incident in Bauchi State. On Saturday, September 5, 2026, a 13-year-old boy, Mubarak Mohammed, died after accidentally shooting himself with a loaded Dane gun in Udubo village, Gamawa Local Government Area. According to the police, the gun allegedly belonged to a 35-year-old hunter, Suleiman Hamza, who had returned from hunting and left the loaded weapon unsecured inside his room before going out. The teenager entered the room and pulled the trigger, causing the gun to discharge and inflict fatal injuries on him. The hunter has been arrested, and the case transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department. These incidents have heightened concerns over the careless handling and storage of locally made firearms, with the Commissioner of Police urging hunters and firearm owners to exercise utmost care.

Bauchi Man, 25, Allegedly Shoots Friend Dead With Dane Gun During Quarrel