The Lagos State Police Command has arrested six suspects allegedly involved in a goods diversion syndicate that made away with a consignment valued at about N3 billion. The suspects, identified as Jamiu Lateef, Abubakar Amadu, Aliu Olanshile, Opeyemi Oyewale, Hassana Malami, and Hassana Haruna, were arrested following complaints from importers whose consignments disappeared after being entrusted to transporters for delivery.
According to the police, the latest case began with an ordinary transportation arrangement, where the suspects offered their truck to an importer who needed goods moved from the Lagos port to Kano. The parties negotiated the transportation cost, and the goods were loaded onto the truck. However, the truck never made it to Kano; instead, the suspects diverted it to Ojota, Lagos, where the cargo was offloaded and sold to alleged receivers.
The consignment, which included forklifts, fabrics, imported plates, and other goods, was part of the latest cases uncovered by operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Lagos State Police Command. Police sources alleged that the suspects were linked to the diversion of imported goods worth more than N20 billion over a period of about 19 years. The suspects reportedly told the importer that the truck had broken down around Mokwa, Niger State, and collected money from the importer purportedly to repair the truck.
The police investigation revealed that the syndicate allegedly identified potential victims by operating around the Lagos ports, looking for importers in need of trucks to move their consignments to other parts of the country. They also joined WhatsApp platforms used by transporters and transportation companies operating around the ports to monitor offers and contact importers in need of trucks. The suspects would then obtain the goods under the guise of transporting them to their intended destinations.
The police source alleged that the suspects changed their phones and SIM cards after operations to make it difficult for investigators to trace them. The alleged network's extensive use of communication devices came under police scrutiny following the arrest of Abubakar, from whom 11 mobile phones and eight SIM cards were recovered. Abubakar had previously been arrested in 2023, when 49 phones and 188 SIM cards were reportedly recovered from him.
The police are also investigating the suspected receivers who allegedly bought or handled the diverted goods. Investigations indicate that the alleged leaders may have known each other for almost two decades, with Abubakar reportedly telling investigators that he started diverting goods with Jamiu about 19 years ago after meeting while working as truck drivers for their former employers. Several members of the syndicate had previously been arrested in connection with goods diversion and were released from prison in February 2026.
The Lagos State Police Command's spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, described the arrests as a major achievement. The police have not publicly detailed the assets allegedly linked to the suspects or disclosed whether they have begun processes to recover or restrain any such properties. The investigation is now expected to focus on the wider network involved in receiving and disposing of the allegedly diverted consignments.
Key points
- The suspects allegedly diverted goods worth over N20 billion over 19 years.
- The police recovered 11 mobile phones and eight SIM cards from Abubakar.
- The alleged leaders of the syndicate, Jamiu Lateef and Abubakar Amadu, accumulated substantial assets through the alleged operations.
