Police Crack Down on Armed Gangs Preying on Bolt and Uber Drivers in Lagos

The Lagos State Police Command has successfully busted multiple armed robbery gangs responsible for targeting private commercial vehicle operators, including Bolt, Uber, Lagride, and others. These criminal groups have been linked to several attacks and killings across the state.

During the operation, the police recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition from the suspects. Speaking at the state command headquarters on Saturday, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olanrewaju Ishola, revealed that the command prosecuted 2,176 offenders in the last quarter of 2024 and early 2025.

In a tragic update, the commissioner noted that three police officers lost their lives during this period. Meanwhile, 43 suspects were arrested for crimes ranging from armed robbery and cultism to child abuse and kidnapping. One of the highlighted cases involved a dangerous gang that used ride-hailing platforms to lure and attack drivers. On January 9, 2025, a gang of four ordered an Uber ride from Chevron in Lekki to Obalende, where they brutally robbed and killed the driver by stabbing him multiple times. Thanks to the swift intervention of Good Samaritans, two suspects were immediately apprehended, with further investigations leading to the arrest of the remaining gang members.

In another incident, the police cracked a similar case involving suspects who killed an Uber driver and attempted to steal the vehicle. The suspects were arrested, and the stolen Toyota Camry was recovered and returned to the victim’s family.

The police commissioner urged ride-hailing drivers to prioritize their safety by screening passengers and limiting rides to a single passenger when possible. He announced plans to host security awareness sessions for drivers to help them avoid falling prey to such criminals. The commissioner also shed light on the rise in cult-related killings. On July 17, 2024, rival cult members brutally murdered two victims in Ijora Badia. Subsequent arrests, including that of a self-confessed Aye Confraternity member linked to 12 murders, have led to significant breakthroughs in tackling cult violence.

Additionally, the police recovered two AK-47 rifles and a K2 assault rifle during an operation on December 27, 2024, further demonstrating their commitment to combating crime in Lagos State. Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant and cooperate with the police to ensure a safer community. https://ekoplus.ng/governor-sanwo-olu-boosts-lagos-infrastructure-with-st-finbarrs-road-network/