A police patrol team from the Surulere Division of the Lagos State Police Command has been detained and is currently under investigation after losing a service AK-47 rifle during a routine stop-and-search operation.

According to an internal police wireless message dated May 12, 2025, and signed by the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Area B Command, Apapa, the incident occurred in the early hours of April 30, 2025, beneath the Ojuelegba Bridge.

The patrol team, led by Assistant Superintendent of Police Lucky Ebalumenfoh, was conducting operations at approximately 3:00 a.m. when they stopped a commercial motorcycle carrying a passenger. During the attempted apprehension, a struggle ensued, resulting in the snatching of the officer's AK-47 rifle.

The missing firearm, marked with breech number 52-2-559256, was loaded with ten rounds of 7.62mm ammunition at the time it was taken. The document also referenced an earlier alert dated May 1, which initially reported the disappearance of the weapon.

Authorities have arrested a 19-year-old suspect identified as Mustapher Abubakar, who was the passenger on the motorcycle. He is currently assisting with the ongoing investigation, while the entire patrol unit involved in the operation has been detained and is undergoing disciplinary proceedings.

In response to the incident, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police has mandated full compliance with recovery protocols and ordered all divisional police officers, tactical teams, and anti-crime squads to intensify efforts to locate and retrieve the missing firearm.

The investigation continues as authorities work to recover the weapon and determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident.