Lagos Police Uncover Kidnapping Syndicate Hideout Disguised as Shrine

The Lagos State Police Command has uncovered a hideout operated by a suspected Lagos kidnapping syndicate in the Idimu area of the state. The location, according to police, was disguised as a shrine and allegedly used to detain victims who refused to cooperate with fraud schemes.

During the operation, police arrested at least 14 suspects linked to kidnapping and “one-chance” criminal activities across Lagos.

On Wednesday, January 21, 2026, the Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, led journalists to the property located along Pipeline Road, Idimu. He explained that the arrests followed intelligence-driven stop-and-search operations carried out in the early hours of Sunday.

According to the commissioner, three suspects were initially apprehended at Bode Thomas in Surulere while driving a vehicle allegedly used to lure unsuspecting victims, particularly at night and in the early morning hours.

“The syndicate usually lured victims under the pretence of selling dollars or offering fake investment schemes that promised to double money before taking them to the shrine,” Jimoh said.

He identified the alleged leader of the Lagos kidnapping syndicate as Demola Adelua, claiming the group has operated for over eight years and runs about six operational teams across the state.

“If victims cooperate and they succeed in defrauding them, they release them. But if the victim is too smart and refuses to cooperate, they bring the person here, lock them inside this room they call a shrine, and then call their relatives to demand ransom,” the police commissioner added.

Jimoh noted that while traditional kidnapping cases remain relatively limited in Lagos, many one-chance syndicates escalate to abduction when fraud attempts fail.

He further explained that the group often targeted worshippers heading to churches and mosques early in the morning, exploiting reduced mobility and lower police presence during those hours.

“Only two formal complaints were initially received, which prompted the command to establish tactical stop-and-search points in the identified axis.

“The three suspects arrested led us to this operational base. We conducted an on-the-spot search and recovered weapons used for their criminal activities.

“Following the discovery, operatives raided the surrounding area and arrested additional members of the gang, bringing the total number of suspects arrested in the operation to 14.”

According to the police, the syndicate used at least six vehicles, including a Toyota Sienna, to pick up victims from bus stops and other public locations. Efforts to recover the remaining vehicles are ongoing.

One of the suspects, Rotimi Adilola, confirmed during the media tour that the site served as the group’s operational base.

Another suspect, Amos Ogunna, claimed ownership of the shrine and attempted to compare it to a religious space.

“This is my shrine. He is my friend. I knew him through my brother, and I stayed with him in Ijegun. We are local 419. My colleagues bring customers with a motor. Sometimes people pay N100,000, sometimes N200,000,” he said.

Emmanuel Njoku, another suspect arrested at Bode Thomas, described how victims were identified and deceived.

“We go there to carry people. We tell them we are going to Lagos. Somebody will say she has dollars. Anybody who is greedy will ask questions. From there, we interview the person and bring them here.”

Njoku added that individuals who refused to cooperate were sometimes given transport money and released. He claimed to be around 60 years old and admitted to participating in the operation for nearly eight years.

A female suspect, Tina Willy from Akwa Ibom State, told reporters she became involved after her husband’s death left her financially vulnerable. She confirmed that some victims were fully abducted when they refused to comply.

“I am not working with them steadily. My husband died, and I had no money. I met my brother, who introduced me to the business, and that was how I followed them. There was a woman they carried before. She did not play along, and they called her family to pay ransom.”

Another suspect admitted to previously serving four months in prison for a fraud-related offence involving N300,000.

Commissioner Jimoh reassured residents that investigations are ongoing and will be expanded to apprehend all members of the Lagos kidnapping syndicate, including those operating across state lines.

He also announced the deployment of additional tactical units to strengthen public safety. These include:

• An undercover walk-and-operate squad

• A coast drive strike force

• A soon-to-be-launched anti-crime patrol and community protection squad

“I want to assure Lagosians to go about their lawful businesses without fear. Full deployment has been carried out across the nooks and crannies of the state,” the commissioner said.