The Zone 2 Police Command has paraded four suspected members of an alleged inter-state robbery syndicate following their arrest in Lagos.
The suspects were identified as Francis Fidelis, 34; Hassan Atahiru, 30; Ikpi Johnson Ibiang; and Aishatu Seni Ali.
Police said the gang, allegedly led by Fidelis, who is based in Port Harcourt, operated across state lines.
According to the police, on February 4, 2026, the Parkview Residents Association, Ikoyi, Lagos, submitted a written petition to the office of the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 2, Lagos, over recurrent robbery incidents in the estate. The petition alleged that several houses had been burgled and valuables carted away.
The police said additional petitions relating to similar armed robbery incidents were received, prompting the referral of the matter to the Zonal Anti-Piracy Unit for discreet investigation.
Operatives subsequently acted on a tip-off, leading to the arrest of Fidelis and others at his hideout in a short-let apartment known as George Residence along Femi-Pedro Street, Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos, on February 6, 2026.
The sting operation, which lasted until the early hours of February 7, 2026, led to the recovery of vehicles, jewellery and other valuables estimated at over N3 billion.
Police alleged that Fidelis, a resident of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, relocated to Lagos last year and rented short-let apartments within highbrow gated communities to gain easy access to targeted estates.
He was said to have operated in hooded clothing and face masks, armed with weapons, during the robberies, and allegedly confessed to carrying out several incidents in Parkview Estate, Banana Island, Ikoyi, Lekki Phase 1 and other estates on Lagos Island.
His alleged confession reportedly led to the arrest of Atahiru, said to be a receiver of stolen items. Police said Atahiru admitted purchasing gold and diamond jewellery, gold bars, designer watches and other valuables from Fidelis after meeting him in 2024 during one of his visits to Lagos.
He allegedly told investigators that most of the items were taken to Cotonou, Benin Republic, by his brother to avoid detection, and that part of the proceeds was used to purchase a 2018 Mercedes Benz GLE valued at about N74 million for Fidelis.
Items recovered by the police included a dark grey unregistered Mercedes Benz GLE with chassis number 4JGED6EB7JA094974, a Lexus RX 350 with registration number AB451KR, a plastic pistol and five crowbars.
Others were three pliers, a kitchen knife, an adjustable spanner, three screwdrivers, a black face mask with inscription, a black hoodie, a black shirt and a pair of black gloves.
Seven mobile phones, four iPads, 22 pairs of earrings, 13 single earrings, six wristwatches, five rings, two gold bangle bracelets, one leather strap bracelet, two pendants, four hand chains, eight necklaces and two brown backpacks with multiple compartments were also recovered.
The Commissioner of Police, DCP Adamu Bello Mohammed, who represented the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 2 Command, Adegoke Fayoade, said investigations were ongoing.
The Guardian
