The Nigeria Police Force Zone 2 Command, Onikan, Lagos, has arrested nine suspects linked to two syndicates allegedly involved in stealing and diverting goods in transit across Lagos and Ogun states.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Police Public Relations Officer of Zone 2, DSP Afolayan Gbenga, said operatives attached to the command’s Dragon Team carried out the operation following credible intelligence on activities of criminal networks diverting goods from their original destinations to illegal buyers and black market receivers.
The statement said the operation led to the recovery of diverted goods valued at over N60m.
According to the police, the suspects arrested are Innocent Nkem, Gasali Ojo, Arogundade Owolabi, Banji Olatunji, Dickson Nchekwube, Henry Uwa, Ikechukwu Olua, Oludare Ebunolu and Imadu Charles.
Investigators said the syndicates allegedly worked with truck drivers and their assistants to divert goods in transit before selling them at cheap prices to receivers.
“The modus operandi is that the suspects, after executing the criminal transactions, often abandon the trucks at strategic locations and flee to evade arrest,” the statement noted.
Police said members of the first syndicate diverted two 45,000-litre trucks loaded with molasses chemical meant for Benin, Edo State.
One of the trucks was reportedly intercepted during an illegal trans-loading operation at Itokin area of Lagos State, while the second truck was recovered at the Ogere trailer park in Ogun State as suspects allegedly searched for buyers.
The police estimated the value of each truck loaded with the chemical at N11m.
In a separate operation, detectives also uncovered another syndicate accused of diverting a trailer load of dairy products meant for Jos, Plateau State.
The goods, which were loaded in Sagamu, Ogun State, were allegedly diverted to Ijebu Ode, where they were recovered by operatives.
Police valued the recovered dairy products at about N28m.
The Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 2, Olohundare Moshood Jimoh, directed detectives to intensify efforts to arrest other fleeing members of the syndicates.
He also assured residents and business owners that the command would continue to crack down on criminal networks operating within Lagos and Ogun states.
The police added that the suspects would be arraigned after the conclusion of investigations.
Comments
Add a comment