18 arrested as hoodlums hijack protest over power outage in Lagos

The Lagos State Police Command said it has thwarted a planned invasion of a commercial bank and restored peace to the bustling Tejuosho Market after a violent disturbance on Thursday.

The command, in a swift and decisive response, has since arrested 18 individuals described as “hoodlums and miscreants.”

In a statement issued and signed on Friday by the Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Babaseyi Oluseyi, reiterated the command’s stance on such acts of violence.

He said, “The Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, reiterates that violent attacks on police personnel and destruction of property will not be tolerated.

The details of the incident are that on 18th September 2025, at about 2:30pm, the Lagos Command received a distress call that hoodlums and miscreants had started attacking people, damaging goods and properties in Tejuosho Market.

“Further information revealed that the hoodlums attacked Mobile Policemen guarding a commercial bank within the market, who firmly repelled them and prevented them from invading the bank. The hoodlums and miscreants were also prevented from invading.”

The police reports added, “The mob’s intentions escalated quickly as they turned their attention to a commercial bank within the market.”

According to the police, Mobile Police personnel, who were on guard at the bank, firmly repelled the initial assault, preventing the rioters from gaining entry.

Following their distress call, additional police forces, including Anti-riot Squads and tactical teams, were promptly deployed to the scene.

The statement added, “The combined efforts of the police units successfully contained the situation, dispersed the violent crowd, and ensured the safety of the bank and its customers.

“The 18 suspects apprehended have been taken into police custody, and an investigation is currently underway to identify and arrest any other individuals involved in the attack.”

The Lagos State Police Command has urged residents to go about their daily activities in the market without fear, assuring the public that normalcy has been fully restored.

The Command had, on September 12, 2025, said its operatives arrested two suspected cultists with a gun in the Akoka area of the state in a crackdown operation targeting criminal elements.

This is just as it refuted claims that three people died as a result of a cult clash in the Lakowe area of Ibeju-Lekki.

Oluseyi disclosed this in an exclusive response to the enquiry on cult activities in the state.

The arrest is coming on the heels of the recent cult clashes in different parts of the state that have claimed no fewer than five lives.

Cupped from punch.