Lagos Police Foil Billionaire Kidnap Plot

By Babatunji Wusu

The Lagos State Police Command has stopped a planned kidnapping targeting a billionaire businessman and killed four suspected kidnappers during a fierce gun battle in the Ejigbo area of Lagos.

The operation formed part of wider crackdowns on violent crime, cultism, armed robbery, and organised criminal activities carried out across the state in May 2026.

During the operations, police recovered 11 firearms, including three AK-47 rifles, two SMG rifles, a pump-action gun, revolver pistols, locally-made guns, magazines, ammunition, and other dangerous weapons.

Speaking during a press briefing, the Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai, described the success as a major breakthrough in the fight against criminal gangs operating in Lagos.

According to him, police operatives arrested 10 suspects linked to armed robbery, cultism, conspiracy, stealing, and illegal possession of firearms. Officers also recovered stolen vehicles and cash connected to criminal activities.

Explaining the attempted abduction, CP Tijani Fatai said the gang specialised in targeting wealthy businessmen and had alleged connections to notorious kidnapping syndicates previously dismantled in Lagos.

“In one of the most dramatic operations during the period under review, police operatives foiled a planned kidnap operation targeting a businessman at Jakande Estate Gate in Ejigbo.

“Acting on intelligence, operatives stormed the area, but the suspects opened fire on sighting police officers, leading to a fierce gun battle.”

The police chief revealed that officers responded with stronger firepower, leading to the death of four gang members, while another suspect escaped with gunshot wounds. An Inspector of Police also sustained injuries during the exchange and is receiving treatment.

The Lagos State Police Command further uncovered a fuel theft case involving over ₦1.028 billion and arrested suspects linked to cultism, staged kidnapping, and vehicle vandalism.