The Lagos State Police Command has arrested six suspected members of a syndicate allegedly involved in the diversion of imported goods worth over N20bn over the past 19 years. The suspects, identified as Lateef Jamiu, Abubakar Amadu, Aliu Olanshile, Opeyemi Oyewale, Hassana Malami, and Hassana Haruna, were arrested by operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit following complaints by importers over missing consignments.
According to a police source, two of the suspects, Jamiu and Amadu, were leaders of one of the two most organised goods diversion syndicates operating in the country. The source said the two men, who allegedly own several trailers used for their operations, had been arrested and prosecuted for similar offences in the past and were released from prison earlier this year.
The source further stated that the syndicate members usually loitered around the Lagos ports, looking for importers in need of trucks to transport their consignments to other parts of the country. They also join WhatsApp platforms of different transporters and transportation companies at the port, where transportation needs are advertised.
Once they get the offer, they disappear with the goods and erase every trace that could lead to their whereabouts by changing their phones and SIM cards. The source disclosed that 11 phones and eight SIM cards were recovered from Amadu when he was arrested, adding that he had previously been arrested in 2023 with 49 phones and 188 SIM cards.
The source said the syndicate was allegedly responsible for the diversion of goods worth over N20bn since the group began operating about 19 years ago. In their latest operation, the suspects allegedly diverted forklifts, fabrics, imported plates, and other goods worth about N3bn.
One of the alleged leaders, Jamiu, reportedly confessed to the police, saying it is true that they agreed to help the importer move the goods from the port in Lagos to Kano but diverted to a place in Ojota, Lagos, where it was allegedly offloaded and sold to their receivers.
Confirming the arrests, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Adebisi, described the operation as a big achievement by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit. Adebisi said the investigation was ongoing to apprehend other members of the syndicate and recover some of the goods allegedly diverted during their previous operations.
Key points
- The Lagos State Police Command arrested six suspected members of a syndicate allegedly involved in the diversion of imported goods worth over N20bn.
- The suspects, who had been operating for 19 years, allegedly diverted goods by offering importers their trucks and then changing their phones and SIM cards to erase their trail.
- The investigation is ongoing to apprehend other members of the syndicate and recover some of the goods allegedly diverted during their previous operations.
