The Lagos State Police Command has arrested three suspected armed robbers allegedly linked to a series of robbery operations along the Ife Expressway in Osun State, including the reported theft of valuables worth about N50 million from a traditional ruler.

The suspects were identified as 31-year-old Chubuzor Anasihwe, 26-year-old Uchena Steven and 31-year-old Ejike Ani.

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Tijani, disclosed their arrest during a briefing at the command headquarters in Ikeja on Wednesday.

Police link suspects to multiple vehicle robberies

According to Tijani, operatives of the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit arrested the suspects at two separate locations in Lagos following actionable intelligence.

Preliminary investigations allegedly linked the suspects to robbery operations carried out on August 23 and September 30, 2026, along the Ife Expressway.

The police said about five vehicles were reportedly snatched during the operations, while valuables estimated at approximately N50 million were allegedly taken.

One of the vehicles, a Toyota van with registration number BDJ 180 AJ, registered in Oyo State, has been recovered by the police.

Suspect explains alleged attack on monarch

During questioning, Ani allegedly provided an account of how the gang robbed the traditional ruler.

He told investigators that a member of the gang identified as Obina had taken them to the Ife Road area to snatch vehicles.

Ani said the group did not use a firearm during that particular operation but instead used a stick and cellotape.

According to his account, the group later encountered the monarch after allegedly snatching a vehicle.

He said they saw the monarch’s vehicle parked by the roadside and stopped, after which Obina allegedly took the monarch’s bag and placed it inside their vehicle.

Ani said the group later travelled to Lagos, where Obina dropped them off.

He claimed that he and the other suspects did not initially know what was inside the monarch’s bag, but police later informed them that the monarch’s money had been recovered from the vehicle.

Suspect names alleged gang members

Ani reportedly told police that Obina was already being tracked by the authorities but that he did not know his current whereabouts.

He also mentioned another alleged gang member, identified as Izuna, whom he claimed possessed a locally made explosive device.

“Izuna bought a banger and even the police discovered one of the bangers inside the car,” Ani reportedly said.

The police said the suspects made confessional statements and were assisting investigators in efforts to recover other stolen vehicles, arrest other members of the alleged gang and recover weapons reportedly used during the operations.

Suspect says he returned to robbery to raise business capital

Ani also reportedly acknowledged that he had previously served a prison sentence before becoming involved in the alleged robbery operations again.

When asked why he returned to crime, he reportedly said he wanted to raise money to start a business.

He said he had previously been involved in the sale of machine spare parts.

Ani reportedly expressed regret and said he did not intend to continue with robbery.

Police recover weapons, vehicles, other exhibits

Giving an overview of the command’s operational activities, Tijani said 80 suspects had been arrested or neutralised during the period under review.

The police said six vehicles were recovered, alongside four Beretta pistols, eight locally made pistols and four live 9mm rounds of ammunition.

Other recovered exhibits included seven vehicle number plates, six mobile phones, vandalised iron materials and electrical wires, six battle axes, four cutlasses, a toy gun and five sacks of suspected illicit drugs.

The investigation into the alleged robbery operations remains ongoing as police work to apprehend other suspects and recover additional stolen property.

The allegations against the three suspects have not been established by a court.