Lagos: Police parade four in alleged N3bn robbery, recover luxurious cars, others
Four Suspected Robbers Arrested in Lagos
The Zone 2 Police Command in Lagos has arrested four individuals alleged to be part of an interstate robbery syndicate.
The suspects are Francis Fidelis, 34; Hassan Atahiru, 30; Ikpi Johnson Ibiang; and Aishatu Seni Ali. According to police reports, Fidelis is believed to be the leader of the group, coordinating criminal activities across multiple states from Port Harcourt.
The investigation was initiated following a petition filed on February 4, 2026, by the Parkview Residents Association in Ikoyi. The complaint detailed a series of burglary incidents within the estate, where numerous homes were reportedly broken into and valuables stolen.
Additional similar complaints from other locations prompted the case to be transferred to the Zonal Anti-Piracy Unit for further inquiry. Officers located the suspects in a short-let apartment called George Residence on Femi-Pedro Street in Parkview Estate, leading to their arrests on February 6, 2026. This operation continued into the early hours of February 7 and resulted in the recovery of stolen items valued at over N3 billion, including vehicles and jewelry.
Authorities allege that Fidelis moved to Lagos last year and rented short-term accommodations in affluent, gated communities to facilitate access to targeted estates. He reportedly executed robberies while wearing hooded clothing and masks and armed with weapons.
Fidelis is said to have confessed to multiple robberies in areas such as Parkview Estate, Banana Island, Ikoyi, and Lekki Phase 1. His statements also led to the arrest of Atahiru, identified by police as a receiver of stolen goods.
Atahiru allegedly admitted to purchasing various high-value items—including gold and diamond jewelry, designer wristwatches, and gold bars—from Fidelis. He purportedly admitted to shipping some of these items to Cotonou, Benin Republic, through his brother to avoid detection. Part of the proceeds from these sales reportedly financed the purchase of a 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE valued at approximately N74 million for Fidelis.
Recovered property included an unregistered dark grey Mercedes-Benz GLE, a Lexus RX 350, a plastic pistol, five crowbars, pliers, screwdrivers, a kitchen knife, an adjustable spanner, face masks, and gloves. Police also seized seven mobile phones, four iPads, and assorted jewelry such as earrings, rings, necklaces, and bracelets.
During the parade, Deputy Commissioner of Police Adamu Bello Mohammed, representing the Assistant Inspector-General of Police Adegoke Fayoade, stated that the investigation is ongoing. “We are expanding the investigation to identify other members of the syndicate and recover additional stolen items,” he said, adding that the suspects would face charges upon the completion of the investigation.
