BREAKING: Nigerian Police Detain ASP, Entire Patrol Team After Loss Of Firearm, Ammunition During Stop-and-Search
A follow-up signal from the Lagos State Commissioner of Police has reported the loss of a police AK-47 rifle during a stop-and-search operation by a patrol team from Surulere Division.
A police wireless message signed by Assistant Commissioner of Police, Area B, Apapa, dated May 12, 2025, and exclusively obtained by SaharaReporters, revealed that the incident occurred on April 30, 2025.
It noted that an earlier message dated May 1, 2025, had detailed the loss of the firearm and ammunition.
According to the police memo, the Assistant Superintendent of Police and the entire patrol team involved are currently undergoing disciplinary procedures. All team members are detained and under investigation, it noted.
The notice said on April 30, 2025 at about 0300hrs (3 AM), the team was stationed at Ojuelegba under bridge when they stopped a commercial motorcycle (okada) carrying one passenger. During an attempt to arrest the riders, a scuffle ensued, and one AK-47 rifle (Breech No. 52-2-559256) loaded with 10 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition was snatched from ASP Lucky Ebalumenfoh (AP/No. 185504).
The police disclosed that one suspect, identified as Mustapher Abubakar, a 19-year-old male, the passenger on the motorcycle, was arrested at the scene and is assisting police investigations.
They added that efforts are ongoing to recover the missing firearm, adding that DPOs (Divisional Police Officers), tactical teams, and anti-crime units have been directed to disseminate the alert and assist in the recovery process.
The police authorities insist that strict compliance is expected to assist in the recovery of the lost weapon.
They urged units to report to the originating unit if the weapon is recovered.
Further developments will be communicated as they arise, the memo added.
The police memo reads in part, “LOSS OF ARMS AND AMMUNITION X GRATEFUL X LOSS BE INFORMED THAT X TODAY 30/04/2025 AT ABOUT 0300HRS X PATROL TEAM MINE ON STOP AND SEARCH DUTY AT OJUELEGBA UNDER BRIDGE X STOPPED COMMERCIAL MOTORCYCLE CARRYING WITH THE (OKADA) ONE PASSENGER INTENTION OF ARRESTING THEM X IN THE SCUFFLE THAT ENSUED X ONE AK47 RIFLE BREECH NO. 52-2- 559256 WITH 10 ROUNDS OF 7.62MM AMMUNITION WAS SNATCHED X FROM ΑΡ/ΝΟ. 185504 ASP LUCKY EBALUMENFOH X ONE SUSPECT BY NAME MUSTAPHER ABUBAKER M 19 YEARS OLD X THE PASSENGER ON THE OKADA WAS ARRESTED AND IS CURRENTLY ASSISTING THE POLICE IN INVESTIGATION X
“THE ASP AND TEAM ARE CURRENTLY GOING THROUGH DISCIPLINARY PROCESS X EFFORTS ARE ONGOING TO RECOVER THE LOST ARMS AND AMMUNITION X FURTHER DEVELOPMENT WILL BE COMMUNICATED YOURS X ABOVE FOR YOUR INFORMATION PLEASE X ENDS X ALL THE TEAM MEMBERS ARE ALREADY DETAINED AND BEING INVESTIGATED X COMPOL ALL STATES X GRATEFUL DISSEMINATE SAME TO FORMATIONS/ANTI-CRIME PATROL TEAMS/TACTICAL TEAMS YOURS X TO ASSIST IN RECOVERY CF THE SAID ARMS AND AMMUNITION X INFORM MINE IF RECOVERED X ACPOLS AREA A -P’ LAGOS ONLY X DISSEMINATE SAME TO ALL DPOS YOURS FOR POSSIBLE RECOVERY X ENDS X ACPOL AREA ‘B’ DIRECTS X YOU ENSURE STRICT COMPLIANCE. PLEASE X.”
