The Lagos State Police Command has disclosed how its operatives thwarted a planned kidnap operation and neutralised four suspected kidnappers during a shootout in Ejigbo on May 24, 2026.
According to Punch on Wednesday, speaking during a press briefing at the command headquarters in Ikeja on Tuesday, the Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai, said the suspects were allegedly preparing to abduct a businessman near Jakande Estate Gate, Ejigbo, at about 9:30 p.m.
According to the CP, the operation was successfully foiled after weeks of intelligence gathering and surveillance by police operatives.
Fatai explained that the suspects belonged to a notorious kidnapping syndicate known for targeting wealthy businessmen across Lagos. He added that investigations identified the gang leader as Ifeanyi, popularly known as “Ifeko,” who was said to have trained Henry Asoona, the leader of a billionaire kidnap gang previously killed by police at Ladipo International Spare Parts Market in 2024.
The police commissioner further revealed that Ifeanyi had been living abroad but recently returned to Lagos to supervise the planned abduction.
“On May 24, 2026, at about 2130hrs, following credible intelligence received and monitored by operatives of the Command, a kidnap attempt by a notorious kidnapping gang on a businessman at Jakande Estate Gate, Ejigbo area of Lagos, was foiled,” Fatai stated.
He noted that the gang specialised in targeting affluent individuals and usually entered Lagos specifically to carry out kidnapping operations.
The command said police operatives tracked the suspects’ movements and engaged them in a gun duel before they could execute the attack.
Fatai added that efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the criminal network still at large.
