Lagos Police Intercept Truck Laden With Military Camouflage, Drugs; Arrest Four Suspects

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested four suspects after intercepting a truck reportedly conveying sacks of military camouflage uniforms and cartons of suspected illicit drugs being transported from Lagos to the South-East region.

The Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai, disclosed this on Tuesday during a press briefing at the command headquarters in Ikeja, where he outlined a series of major security breakthroughs recorded in recent operations across the state.

According to him, operatives of the State Tactical Squad acted on credible intelligence and intercepted the truck on Saturday night along the Lekki–Epe corridor as it attempted to exit Lagos State.

The vehicle was found to be loaded with multiple sacks containing military camouflage uniforms alongside cartons of various suspected hard drugs.

“These bags you are seeing here contain military camouflage. We received intelligence and swung into action. The vehicle was intercepted while moving out of Lagos State, and those involved were arrested,” Fatai said.

He confirmed that four suspects are currently in custody while investigations are ongoing to track down other individuals connected to the shipment. Preliminary findings suggest the consignment was headed towards the eastern part of the country, though authorities say the exact destination and intended use are still under investigation.

The Commissioner expressed concern over the circulation of military uniforms in criminal supply chains, noting that such items have increasingly been linked to violent crimes in parts of the country.

“With the trend of events across the country, especially in areas affected by insecurity, we have seen criminal elements using military camouflage. We are still investigating the purpose of these items,” he added.

Fatai also confirmed the arrest of 36 foreign nationals during a separate operation on Lagos Island.

The suspects include citizens of Chad, Burkina Faso, Benin Republic, Mali, Togo, Cameroon, and Guinea.

He said many of them were unable to provide clear explanations of their activities in Nigeria, only claiming they were “into networking.”

“All they could tell us was that they were into networking. They could not clearly explain what they were doing in the country,” he said.

The suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for profiling and are expected to be handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service for further action.

The police further disclosed the recovery of two double-barreled guns and six locally made firearms following a tip-off from residents in an estate in the Ijanikin area.

The operation led to multiple arrests linked to an armed robbery syndicate operating a “one-chance” scheme across parts of Lagos.

Investigators also identified a suspected financier who allegedly supplied vehicles used in the operations, though he remains at large.

“We are on the trail of the person funding the syndicate. The suspects are providing useful information, and we are confident he will be apprehended,” Fatai said.

On the recent explosion in Mushin, the Commissioner said explosive experts are still analysing recovered materials to determine the cause of the blast.

“There was an explosion, and our Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit is still working on materials recovered from the scene,” he noted.

Fatai also confirmed an ongoing investigation into a suspicious parcel containing two rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition reportedly delivered to the residence of the Managing Director of First Bank.

He said the parcel was received by a security guard, who discovered the ammunition upon opening it.

“No suspect has been arrested yet, but investigations are ongoing. The complainant has mentioned persons of interest, and we are following all leads,” he said.

The Lagos Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining intelligence-led policing, dismantling criminal networks, and enhancing public safety across the state.