4 September 2026 · Epe
Kidnapping in Lagos
OpenWatch has recorded 225 reported kidnapping incidents in Lagos State, 14 of them in the last 12 months. That is 9% of every incident recorded in the state, and ranks it 12 of 37 among the states where kidnapping is reported often enough to profile.
Incidents · 12 mo
14
Fatalities · 12 mo
12
Incidents · all-time
225
Fatalities · all-time
78
Latest reported kidnapping in Lagos
28 June 2026
Operation Kósàyè, a security operation spanning Lagos and Ogun states, resulted in the killing of four kidnappers, dismantling of forest camps used as hideouts, and recovery of weapons.
6 June 2026 · Badagry
The NSCDC dismantled a suspected human trafficking syndicate in Badagry, Lagos, rescuing 24 victims and arresting three suspects during a coordinated operation. The victims included individuals from Nigeria, Benin, and Togo, some of whom had been missing for up to three years.
22 May 2026 · Ejigbo
Four suspected kidnappers were killed during a police operation in the Jakande Estate Gate area of Ejigbo, Lagos State, aimed at preventing the abduction of a businessman. The operation involved an exchange of gunfire, resulting in one police officer sustaining injuries.
17 May 2026 · Isoko
Police in Lagos arrested six suspects involved in a 'one chance' robbery syndicate targeting commuters along Ago Palace Way. The suspects were apprehended during a stop-and-search operation, and a cutlass and a dummy pistol were recovered from them.
11 May 2026
Two suspects were arrested in Lagos for their involvement in a 'one chance' robbery syndicate that targets unsuspecting commuters. The police recovered stolen mobile phones and are investigating further to apprehend additional gang members.
10 May 2026 · Coker-Orile
Four kidnapped children were rescued by the Lagos State Police from suspected traffickers at the Alafia Bus Terminal in Coker-Orile, Lagos State.
27 April 2026 · Ikorodu
Police in Lagos arrested 118 suspects linked to various criminal activities, including two suspected kidnappers and murderers in Ikorodu on April 27, 2026. The arrests were part of efforts to combat insecurity in the state.
23 April 2026
Gunmen kidnapped a woman from her home in Lagos after overpowering the guard and demanded a ransom of N60 million.
22 April 2026 · Ikorodu
Two suspects were arrested for the kidnapping and murder of a 17-year-old candidate in Ikorodu, Lagos. The victim was lured by his former schoolmates and killed after returning from an examination.
Other threats in Lagos
About these figures
Counts cover incidents classified as kidnapping in Lagos State, drawn from OpenWatch’s incident record, excluding retracted reports and duplicates merged into an earlier report. Figures update hourly. Last recorded: 4 September 2026.
Reported numbers are a floor, not a census. Incidents in remote areas are routinely under-reported, and classification follows how an event was described in reporting, so a low count is not a guarantee of safety. See the full Lagos risk profile for every threat type, or the methodology for how incidents are collected and classified.
Track Lagos live on the incident map.