The Lagos State Police Command has highlighted the effectiveness of its proactive patrols following the recovery of an illegal firearm in the Ishashi area of the state. The incident underscores the command's ongoing reliance on stop-and-search operations to curb criminal activities before they occur.
Details of the Ishashi Firearm Recovery
According to an official statement released on the command's X (formerly Twitter) handle on Friday, the operation was conducted by the Anti-Crime Unit attached to the Ishashi Division. The recovery took place on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at about 10:45 p.m. during a routine patrol and stop-and-search exercise led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO).
During the operation, officers successfully recovered a locally made cut-to-size double-barrel firearm along with two live cartridges. The police emphasized that this operation was carried out within the division's jurisdiction as part of standard preventive measures.
Police Reaffirm Commitment to Preventive Policing
The Lagos Police Command used the incident to reaffirm its strategic focus on preventive policing. The command stated that measures like stop-and-search remain central to disrupting criminal plans and strengthening public safety across Lagos.
"Stop-and-search remains a proactive crime-prevention measure," the command's statement read. It further assured residents that intelligence-led patrols and operations would be sustained throughout the state to maintain security and deter criminal elements.
Broader Nationwide Police Operations Yield Results
In a related development, the Nigeria Police Force announced significant successes from recent coordinated operations across several states. Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, disclosed in a statement on Thursday that these operations led to multiple arrests and recoveries.
The key outcomes from the nationwide operations include:
- The arrest of 22 suspects involved in crimes ranging from armed robbery and kidnapping to banditry and drug trafficking.
- The recovery of six firearms, including an LAR rifle, pump-action gun, AK-49 rifle, AK-47 rifle, and an SMG rifle, with ammunition.
- The seizure of 45 other exhibits, such as vehicles, motorcycles, and illicit drugs.
Notable arrests include 35-year-old Luke Ifeanyi, intercepted on the Kaduna-Abuja Expressway with a vehicle carrying new motorcycles and weapons, and Kuje Custodial Centre escapee Ayo Abiodun, arrested in the Federal Capital Territory for a violent robbery. Another suspect, 40-year-old Yusuf Shehu, was arrested for impersonating a police officer and found with a police uniform and ID card.
Operations also extended to Edo State, where four suspects were held for unlawful firearm possession, and to Lagos and Ogun states, where two members of a car-snatching syndicate were apprehended. The police stated that investigations are ongoing, with efforts intensified to dismantle criminal networks nationwide.
