In a major operation, the police in Lagos state arrest members of a notorious ‘one chance’ gang, recovering an operational vehicle and weapons in the process, among others
By Patrick Ogboru
Operatives of Ikeja Division of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested a notorious ‘one chance’ kingpin and two members of his gang after responding to a distress call while on a routine patrol along the Agege Motor Road in Ikeja.
The suspects identified as Bode Oludayisin 53, Michael Sowunmi ‘M’ 22 and David Olawaye ‘M’ 20 were apprehended following an alarm raised by a victim who was being robbed by the syndicate in their minibus. One of the suspects was identified as a wanted gang leader linked to a series of violent ‘one chance’ robberies across Lagos State.
Responding swiftly to the distress, the operatives intercepted the suspects inside an unregistered commercial minibus, which has now been confirmed as their operational vehicle. Recovered items from the suspects include a Tecno Spark 20 smart phone belonging to a victim, an axe, two concrete interlock bricks, several heavy stones suspected to have been used to assault past victims, and a broken bottle; all of which have been registered as exhibits and weapons.
Investigations revealed that the gang operated using commercial minibuses, commonly known as Korope, pretending to be ordinary passengers. They often picked up unsuspecting commuters from locations such as Oshodi and then diverted them to unknown locations, where victims were robbed under threats, violence, and intimidation.
Following the breakthrough arrest, the Command’s Special Squad 1 has taken over the case to arrest other fleeing members and dismantle the criminal network.
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Olohundare Jimoh, commended the officers for their swift response which led to the arrest of the wanted kingpin and the disruption of the gang’s operations.
He urged members of the public to be extra cautious, avoid boarding unmarked or suspicious vehicles, and to promptly report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station or through the Command’s emergency lines: 08063299264, 09168631003.
The police operatives of the Ijede Division of the Lagos State Police Command also arrested an ex- convict for involvement in cult activities and recovered a locally made gun hidden in a toilet pipe.
The operatives received complaints on August 18, 2025 that a certain individual was brandishing a locally made gun and threatening members of the public at Sabon Kasuwa area of Abule Eko. Acting swiftly on the complaint, the operatives traced the suspect identified as Onamade Kayode ‘M,’ to an uncompleted building, where he was arrested.
Investigations revealed that the suspect, who was released from prison in 2022 for cultism related offences, is still an active member of a cult group. He admitted to having a firearm and led the operatives to a toilet pipe within the uncompleted building from where the firearm was recovered.
The suspect is currently cooperating with ongoing investigations to apprehend other cult members and recover weapons in their possession, after which he will be prosecuted accordingly.
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Olohundare Jimoh, commended the operatives of Ijede Division for their professionalism and prompt response, which led to the arrest and recovery. He urges members of the public to remain law-abiding, avoid involvement in cultism and armed robbery, and continue to provide the Police with useful information to rid communities of criminal elements.
In a related development operatives of Ojo Division of the Lagos State Police Command have recovered a Toyota Sienna vehicle alongside items suspected to be cannabis and other exhibits, during a routine stop-and-search operation within their jurisdiction.
On August 15, 2025, while on routine patrol, the operatives stopped an ash-coloured Toyota Sienna and in the process of demanding the driver’s identification and vehicle documents, the driver suddenly jumped out and fled with the vehicle key, abandoning the car.
A thorough search of the vehicle led to the recovery of the following items: one Army jungle hat, two ATM cards, and two bags of substances suspected to be cannabis. The recovered vehicle and exhibits have been transferred to Special Squad 2 of the Lagos State Police Command, Ikeja, for further investigation.
Jimoh commended the vigilance of the Ojo Division operatives and assures the public that efforts are ongoing to trace and apprehend the fleeing suspect, while restating the Command’s resolve to intensify patrols and intelligence-led policing across Lagos, urging residents to remain law-abiding and promptly report suspicious activities to the Police.
