Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command have foiled an attempted kidnapping of a prominent businessman in the Ejigbo area of Lagos, neutralizing four suspected members of a notorious kidnapping syndicate during a fierce gun battle.
The operation, carried out by the Command’s Special Squad 1 on Sunday night, May 24, 2026, at Jakande Estate Gate, also led to the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, another sophisticated firearm, live ammunition, and operational vehicles allegedly used by the criminal gang.
Confirming the development on Tuesday, the Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh Tijani, disclosed that the successful operation followed credible intelligence gathered and closely monitored by operatives of the Command.
According to the Police Commissioner, the gang had allegedly perfected plans to abduct a popular businessman within the area before security operatives swiftly moved into action.
“On May 24, 2026, at about 9:30 p.m., following credible intelligence received and monitored by operatives of the Command, police successfully foiled a kidnap attempt by a notorious kidnapping gang targeting a businessman at Jakande Estate Gate, Ejigbo,” the CP stated.
He explained that investigations revealed the criminal syndicate specialized in targeting wealthy individuals and often infiltrated Lagos from outside the state to carry out coordinated abduction operations
Further intelligence, according to the police, linked the gang to several notorious kidnapping activities across the country.
The Commissioner revealed that the alleged gang leader, identified simply as Ifeanyi, popularly known as “Ifeko,” was believed to have trained Henry Asoona, the suspected leader of the billionaire kidnap syndicate earlier neutralized by police operatives at the Ladipo International Spare Parts Market in 2024.
Police sources also disclosed that Ifeanyi was reportedly based abroad and had recently returned to Lagos to coordinate the planned abduction before the operation was thwarted.
“Upon sighting the police team, the suspects opened fire and engaged operatives in a gun duel. The police responded with superior firepower, resulting in the neutralization of four gang members, while another suspect escaped with gunshot wounds,” the statement added.
The Lagos State Police Command assured residents that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspect and dismantle every criminal network threatening the security of the state.
The Command further reiterated its commitment to intelligence-led policing and urged residents to continue providing timely information to security agencies to aid crime prevention and public safety across Lagos State.
