Uncovering a Hidden Den: A Police Operation Against a Kidnapping Syndicate
The Lagos State Police Command recently made a significant breakthrough in its ongoing efforts to combat crime, uncovering a den disguised as a shrine and operated by suspected kidnappers in the Idimu area of the state. This operation led to the arrest of no fewer than 13 suspects, marking a major step in dismantling a notorious criminal network.
The Operation and Its Origins
Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, took journalists on a tour of the premises located along Pipeline Road in the community on Wednesday. He revealed that the suspects were members of a “one-chance” and kidnapping syndicate operating in the state. The arrests followed intelligence-led stop-and-search operations conducted by police operatives in the early hours of Sunday.
According to the CP, three suspects were initially intercepted at Bode Thomas in the Surulere area while operating in a vehicle allegedly used to pick up unsuspecting members of the public, especially at night and in the early hours of the morning. These operations were part of a broader strategy to target criminal activities that have been escalating in recent months.
How the Gang Operated
The syndicate typically lured victims under the pretense of selling dollars or offering fake investment schemes that promised to double money before taking them to the shrine. The gang is led by one Demola Adelua, who has been operating for over eight years. He controls about six operational teams across Lagos State.
If victims cooperate and the gang succeeds in defrauding them, they release them. However, if the victim is too smart and refuses to cooperate, they bring the person to the shrine and call their relatives to demand ransom. The CP emphasized that although the state does not have rampant cases of conventional kidnapping, such “one-chance” criminal gangs often escalated to kidnapping when victims refused to submit to fraud.
Targeting Vulnerable Individuals
The gang also targeted worshippers going to mosques and churches early in the morning, exploiting limited movement and low police presence at such hours. Only two formal complaints were initially received, which prompted the command to establish tactical stop-and-search points in the identified axis. The three suspects arrested led the police to this operational base, where an on-the-spot search was conducted, and weapons used for their criminal activities were recovered.
Following the discovery, operatives raided the surrounding area and arrested additional members of the gang, bringing the total number of suspects arrested in the operation to 14.
Vehicles and Operational Base
The CP disclosed that the gang operated with at least six vehicles, including a Toyota Sienna, which was used to pick victims from bus stops and other locations. However, efforts are ongoing to recover the remaining vehicles.
During the tour, one of the suspects, Rotimi Adilola, admitted that the premises served as an operational base for the group. Another suspect, Amos Ogunna, described the place as similar to a church and stated that he was responsible for the shrine. He mentioned that his colleagues brought customers with a motor, and sometimes people paid N100,000 or N200,000.
Testimonies from Suspects
Emmanuel Njoku, who was arrested at Bode Thomas, narrated how the victims were lured. He said, “We go there to carry people. We tell them we are going to Lagos. Somebody will say she has dollars. Anybody who is greedy will ask questions. From there, we interview the person and bring them here.” Njoku claimed that those who refused to cooperate were sometimes returned after being given transport fare.
A female suspect, Tina Willy from Akwa Ibom State, told journalists that she became involved after the death of her husband. She confirmed that some victims had previously been fully kidnapped after refusing to cooperate. Another suspect admitted he had earlier been imprisoned for a fraud-related offence involving N300,000, adding that he spent four months in custody.
Strengthening Security Measures
Jimoh assured Lagos residents that the command was on top of the security situation, stating that investigations would be extended to mop up all members of the syndicate, including those coming from neighboring states to commit crimes in Lagos. He also announced the strengthening of the state’s security architecture with the deployment of tactical teams, including an undercover “walk-and-operate” squad, a coast drive strike force, and the soon-to-be-launched anti-crime patrol and community protection squad.
“I want to assure Lagosians to go about their lawful businesses without fear. Full deployment has been carried out across the nooks and crannies of the state,” the CP added.
