Odita Sunday 
Zone 2 Police Smash High-Profile Robbery Syndicate, Recover Stolen Items Worth Billions in Lagos
By Odita Sunday
The Nigeria Police Force Zone 2 Command Headquarters, Onikan, Lagos, has recorded a major operational breakthrough with the arrest of four suspects linked to a string of high-profile armed robbery and burglary incidents across Lagos Island and parts of Ogun State.
Addressing journalists at the Zonal Headquarters, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 2, AIG Adegoke M. Fayoade, said the arrests were in line with the operational directives of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, and the Command’s intelligence-led policing strategy aimed at protecting lives and property while strengthening public trust.
The suspects arrested in connection with criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, house breaking, stealing, and conduct likely to cause breach of peace are:
Francis Fidelis, 34
Hassan Atahiru, 43
Ikpi Johnson Ibiang, 30
Aishatu Seni Ali, 25
The breakthrough followed a written petition dated February 4, 2026, by the Parkview Residents Association, Ikoyi, Lagos, over recurrent robbery incidents in the estate. Several homes were reportedly burgled, with valuables carted away.
The matter was referred to the Zonal Anti-Piracy Unit for discreet investigation. Acting on credible intelligence, operatives traced the principal suspect, Francis Fidelis, to a short-let apartment known as George Residence on Femi-Pedro Street, Parkview Estate, Ikoyi.
The sting operation, carried out between February 6 and the early hours of February 7, 2026, led to the arrest of Fidelis and other accomplices, alongside the recovery of a cache of incriminating items.
Confession And Modus Operandi
According to AIG Fayoade, the principal suspect, a resident of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, relocated to Lagos last year and strategically rented short-let apartments within highbrow gated communities to gain easy access to target estates.
He allegedly operated masked and clad in hoodies, armed with weapons during robberies. The suspect reportedly confessed to being responsible for multiple robbery incidents in Parkview Estate, Banana Island, Lekki Phase 1, and other upscale estates within the Lagos Island axis.
Police investigations reveal that properties worth over ₦3 billion were allegedly carted away before his arrest.
Further investigation led to the arrest of Hassan Atahiru, identified as a receiver and buyer of stolen items, including gold and diamond jewellery, gold bars, and luxury wristwatches.
Atahiru reportedly confessed to meeting Fidelis in 2024 and purchasing stolen valuables from him.
He further disclosed that most of the items were transported to Cotonou, Benin Republic, through his brother to evade detection.
He also admitted using part of the proceeds to purchase a 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE valued at ₦74 million for the principal suspect.
Recovered exhibits include:
A dark grey unregistered Mercedes-Benz GLE
A black Lexus RX 350 (Reg. No: AB451KR)
A plastic pistol
Crowbars, pliers, screwdrivers, knife, spanner
Face masks, hoodie, gloves
Seven mobile phones and four iPads
Large quantities of jewellery including earrings, necklaces, rings, bangles, pendants, wristwatches
Backpacks and charms
AIG Fayoade reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to dismantling criminal networks and assured residents of Lagos and Ogun States that the Police would continue to intensify surveillance, intelligence gathering, and targeted operations to ensure public safety.
He urged members of the public to remain vigilant and continue providing timey information to security agencies to aid crime prevention efforts.
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