The Lagos State Police Command has made a significant breakthrough in its fight against crime, arresting six suspected members of a syndicate accused of diverting imported goods worth over ₦20bn over a period of 19 years. The suspects, identified as Lateef Jamiu, Abubakar Amadu, Aliu Olanshile, Opeyemi Oyewale, Hassana Malami, and Hassana Haruna, were apprehended by operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit following complaints from importers over missing consignments.
According to a police source, the syndicate allegedly targeted importers at Lagos ports by offering transportation services for the movement of goods to different parts of the country. The suspects would collect consignments after securing transportation contracts, before diverting the goods and cutting off communication with the owners. The source alleged that members of the syndicate would hang around the ports in Lagos, searching for people in need of transportation for their imported goods to be moved to the North, East, and other parts of Nigeria.
The syndicate allegedly used transport-related WhatsApp groups to find potential clients, where importers would advertise their need for trucks. Once they secured a contract, they would disappear with the goods and erase every trace that could lead to their whereabouts by changing their phones and SIM cards. The police source revealed that the suspects had allegedly been involved in similar operations in the past and had been arrested and prosecuted before their release.
The suspects, Jamiu and Amadu, were allegedly the leaders of one of the most organised goods diversion syndicates operating in the country. They reportedly had a long history of collaboration, having worked together for about 19 years after meeting while working as truck drivers. In their latest operation, the suspects allegedly diverted goods including forklifts, fabrics, and imported plates valued at about ₦3bn.
One of the suspected leaders, Jamiu, reportedly admitted to diverting the goods, stating that they had agreed to help the importer move the goods from the port in Lagos to Kano but instead diverted the consignment to Ojota, Lagos, where it was offloaded and sold. Amadu also reportedly corroborated Jamiu's statement, confirming their long-standing partnership.
The police said investigations led officers to trace some of the alleged diverted fabrics to a market in Agege, Lagos, where the importer identified them. The operation also led to the arrest of alleged receivers of the goods and some truck drivers linked to the diversion. The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Adebisi, confirmed the arrests, describing the operation as a major breakthrough by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit.
Adebisi stated that investigations were ongoing to arrest other members of the syndicate and recover more allegedly diverted goods. The Lagos State Police Command's success in this operation highlights its commitment to tackling organised crime and protecting the interests of importers and businesses in the state.
Key points
- The Lagos State Police Command arrested six suspected members of a syndicate accused of diverting imported goods worth over ₦20bn over 19 years.
- The syndicate allegedly targeted importers at Lagos ports, offering transportation services before diverting the goods and cutting off communication with the owners.
- Investigations are ongoing to arrest other members of the syndicate and recover more allegedly diverted goods.
