By: Manoah Kikekon
BADAGRY, LAGOS — The Lagos State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has completely dismantled a notorious criminal network operating within the Itoga community of Badagry.
The successful anti-crime raid resulted in the tracking and arrest of a suspected ringleader along with three foreign accomplices, alongside the dramatic rescue of 24 unlawfully confined victims some of whom had been declared missing by their families for up to three years.
The breakthrough was officially confirmed in a press release issued on Friday, June 5, 2026, by the Civil Defence Public Relations Officer for the Lagos State Command, SC Oluwaseun Abolurin.
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The highly coordinated tactical operation was championed by the Divisional Officer of the Badagry Divisional Headquarters, Chief Superintendent of Corps (CSC) Ekunola Gbenga Abraham. Acting on actionable, community-based intelligence and close collaboration with local security stakeholders in the Badagry West Axis, tactical teams swarmed the criminal hideouts on Thursday, June 4, 2026, at approximately 2:00 PM.
The strategic raid aligns directly with the standing orders issued by the Commandant General of the NSCDC, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, PhD, mni, OFR, who has continuously directed all state formations to scale up intelligence networks, reinforce inter-agency synergy, and systematically neutralize emerging security threats nationwide.
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| Victims |
During standard interrogation and preliminary profiling, investigators uncovered the sinister mechanisms used by the syndicate to exploit their captives. The suspects allegedly forced the victims to contact their immediate families under intense duress, using fabricated scripts of kidnappings, catastrophic road accidents, and life-threatening emergencies to extort large sums of money from desperate relatives.
Beyond financial extortion, the criminal ring allegedly integrated some of the captive victims into fraudulent online operations, illicit narcotics distribution networks, and forced recruitment drives designed to lure more unsuspecting individuals into the trap.
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| Names of the Victims |
The psychological toll on the victims' families was immense. Many relatives had spent years searching through conventional channels to no avail, with several revealing that they eventually resorted to traditional and spiritual consultations out of absolute desperation before the NSCDC intervention successfully broke the chain.
Reacting to the successful sting operation, the Lagos State Commandant, Mr. Adedotun Keshinro, fnarc, highly commended the exceptional vigilance, bravery, and operational precision demonstrated by CSC Ekunola Gbenga Abraham and the Badagry Division staff.
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| Names of the Victims |
"The tremendous success of this operation further validates the critical role that intelligence-led policing and robust grassroots community collaboration play in stamping out deep-seated crime."
Commandant Keshinro issued an urgent appeal to members of the public, calling on citizens to consistently supply security formations with credible information to help identify additional hideouts or reunite rescued individuals with their families. He concluded by ordering a comprehensive, multi-dimensional investigation into the cartel's wider network, asserting that all suspects will face the full weight of the law in a court of competent jurisdiction as soon as investigations wrap up.
This high-profile raid marks yet another milestone for the Badagry Divisional Headquarters under CSC Abraham's leadership. The division has steadily converted the coastal corridor into a hostile environment for criminal enterprises through several milestone accomplishments:
Executed multiple intelligence-driven ambushes against economic saboteurs smuggling Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) across the volatile Badagry-Seme border corridor, yielding major seizures.
Recently uncovered an illegal "baby factory" and unlawful confinement facility within its area of responsibility, rescuing dozens of women and infants.
Sustained active security dialogues and intelligence sharing pipelines with traditional rulers, religious groups, transport unions, market associations, hunters, and local youth organizations.