Lagos security agents arrest six suspects and recover stolen items after dismantling a notorious One-Chance Robbery gang operating under the Ijora Bridge.
In a major crackdown on urban crime, the Lagos State Government has dismantled a notorious One-Chance Robbery syndicate that had been operating under the Ijora Bridge, terrorising unsuspecting commuters.
The successful operation, led by the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) in collaboration with other security agencies, resulted in the arrest of six suspects and the recovery of numerous stolen valuables.
According to the Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment for LASTMA, Mr. Adebayo Taofiq, the raid was part of a broad, inter-agency initiative targeting illegal garages, unauthorized parks, and criminal hideouts across Apapa Road, Costain, and the Ijora under-bridge area. Items recovered included 77 assorted mobile phones, two Point of Sale (PoS) machines, several wristwatches, and other possessions believed to have been taken during One-Chance Robbery incidents.
The well-coordinated operation was supervised by Hon. Sola Giwa, Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, who led teams from the Nigeria Police Force, Mobile Police (MOPOL), Lagos State Task Force, Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), and the Nigerian Army.
Hon. Giwa stated that the enforcement action was part of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s commitment to restoring public order and reclaiming spaces taken over by criminals.
He emphasized that such inter-agency collaboration demonstrates the administration’s zero-tolerance policy toward criminal activities in public areas.
Investigations revealed that the Ijora under-bridge had served as a major base for the One-Chance Robbery syndicate, illegal traders, and street miscreants who attacked commuters and stored stolen goods. The location also functioned as a secret warehouse for contraband items and looted property.
During the operation, security teams discovered several kegs of adulterated diesel and over 150 packs of expired snacks, including plantain chips and Cheese Balls, being hoarded in unsanitary conditions. Officials warned that the seized items posed grave public health and environmental hazards.
“The unhealthy storage of expired and adulterated products shows the extent of criminal negligence in these areas,” an enforcement officer explained.
“Beyond the One-Chance Robbery activities, the operation uncovered widespread illegal trade endangering lives.”
The joint task force also demolished over 120 illegal structures and shanties erected around St. Peter’s Catholic Nursery and Primary School on Apapa Road.
Authorities said the demolition was necessary to restore public safety and urban order, as many of the makeshift buildings served as hideouts for criminals.
Officials described the clearance as a “reclamation of Lagos’s urban integrity” and part of the government’s ongoing campaign to beautify the city while making it safer for residents and commuters.
Speaking to journalists, Hon. Sola Giwa reaffirmed the Sanwo-Olu administration’s dedication to a safer and more habitable Lagos.
“The clean-up and arrests are part of our integrated strategy to achieve a secure, clean, and organised metropolis,” he said.
“All illegal occupants and criminal elements still operating beneath bridges or on restricted lands are warned to vacate immediately. Enforcement operations will continue with increased intensity until full compliance is achieved.”
He assured residents that the government will sustain the tempo of law enforcement across all parts of the state, ensuring that criminal syndicates such as the One-Chance Robbery gangs find no hiding place in Lagos.
The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, praised the synergy among the participating agencies, calling it “a practical demonstration of security cooperation at its finest.”
He explained that LASTMA’s responsibilities go beyond traffic management, extending into the realms of public safety, environmental protection, and the preservation of transport corridors from criminal infiltration.
“LASTMA’s vision aligns with the broader Lagos State goal of ensuring that every commuter enjoys a safe, clean, and efficient transport system,” Bakare-Oki noted.
“We urge residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities promptly to the authorities.”
The six suspects apprehended during the operation were identified as Adetunji Bashiru (28), Sulaiman Kada (35), Abubakar Bala (42), Abubakar Ahmed (28), Rasaq Gbadamosi (21), and Ibrahim Yakub (23).
Officials confirmed that the suspects would be handed over to appropriate law enforcement units for further investigation and prosecution. The recovered phones, PoS machines, and valuables will assist investigators in linking the suspects to victims of the One-Chance Robbery operations.
Residents and commuters in the Ijora and Apapa Road corridors have applauded the government’s efforts, expressing relief over the renewed commitment to securing Lagos’s transport routes.
“This operation brings back hope for many commuters who have suffered from one-chance attacks,” said a bus driver who plies the Costain route.
“It’s time the government extended this effort to other trouble spots like Oshodi, Mile 2, and Ojuelegba.”
Security experts also called for sustained monitoring of under-bridge areas across the state, recommending the installation of CCTV cameras and regular patrols to deter criminal activity.
The Sanwo-Olu administration continues to prioritise the fight against urban insecurity through partnerships among law enforcement, environmental agencies, and community leaders.
The operation under the Ijora Bridge stands as a powerful example of coordinated governance—where multiple agencies unite to protect lives and restore public confidence.
As Lagos expands, challenges such as One-Chance Robbery and illegal street activities threaten the city’s safety and order. However, consistent enforcement, modern surveillance, and active citizen cooperation remain the key tools for securing the metropolis.
For the people of Lagos, the recent arrests mark a hopeful step toward reclaiming their roads, rebuilding public trust, and reinforcing the image of Lagos as a city of law, order, and opportunity.
More news at ireport247news
