The Lagos State Police Command has arrested three suspected members of an armed robbery and carjacking syndicate operating around Alakuko, recovering three locally made firearms and eight rounds of live ammunition.

The suspects, identified as Faruk Rasheed, 20, Olamilekan Ademola, 28, and Abidemi Oluwawemo, 21, were arrested by police operatives following what the command described as credible intelligence.

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According to the Lagos State Police Command, preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects allegedly specialised in car snatching and robbing residents of their valuables.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebesi, disclosed the arrests in a statement issued on Thursday.

Adebesi said the operation formed part of the command’s sustained efforts to disrupt armed robbery, carjacking and other violent crimes across Lagos.

A search conducted after the arrests reportedly yielded two locally made pistols and a locally made revolver pistol.

The police said the two pistols were loaded with five cartridges, while the revolver contained three rounds of 9mm live ammunition.

The recovery of the weapons has added a significant dimension to the investigation, although the police have not disclosed details of specific robbery or carjacking incidents allegedly linked to the suspects.

The command has also not stated how many vehicles the suspects are alleged to have stolen or identified any of their purported victims.

The three suspects remain in police custody as investigators work to establish the full extent of the alleged syndicate’s activities and identify other individuals who may be involved.

Police said efforts were ongoing to apprehend other members of the alleged criminal network.

However, the suspects have not publicly responded to the allegations, and it was not immediately clear whether they had been charged before a court as of the time of filing this report.

The arrests come amid continuing efforts by security agencies to tackle violent crime and organised criminal networks in Lagos, where carjacking and armed robbery remain longstanding security concerns.

Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai, reaffirmed the command’s determination to dismantle criminal networks and protect residents across the state.

Fatai urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report emergencies or suspicious activities through the command’s designated emergency channels.

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The police investigation is expected to determine whether the suspects can be linked to previous carjacking incidents in Alakuko and surrounding communities, while further arrests could provide more information about the alleged syndicate’s operations.