Nine Suspects Linked to Criminal Networks Nabbed
The Zone 2 Police Command in Onikan, Lagos State, has arrested nine suspects linked to two criminal syndicates involved in stealing and diverting goods in transit. Police also recovered stolen items valued at over N60 million.
Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the zone, Olohundare Jimoh, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday through the zone’s spokesperson, DSP Gbenga Afolayan.
Jimoh said detectives from the Zone 2 Dragon Team acted on credible intelligence from a trusted informant. They launched a covert operation aimed at dismantling criminal groups that diverted goods from legal delivery routes to illegal buyers and black-market operators.
He said the operation took place on May 15 and led to the arrest of nine suspects aged between 42 and 62.
Preliminary findings showed that the syndicates worked closely with truck drivers and their assistants. They allegedly diverted goods while in transit and sold them to buyers at reduced prices.
Investigators also found that after each illegal transaction, the suspects abandoned the trucks at strategic locations to avoid detection.
Police Recover Trucks Loaded With Molasses
Jimoh said members of the first syndicate diverted two 45,000-litre trucks loaded with molasses chemical meant for Benin.
Detectives intercepted one truck at Itokin in Lagos State while suspects were allegedly transferring the product to a receiver.
They later recovered the second truck and its contents at Ogere trailer park in Ogun State. At the time, suspects were reportedly searching for a buyer.
The police chief estimated the value of each truck loaded with molasses chemical at N11 million.
Another Syndicate Linked to Dairy Product Diversion
In a related operation, detectives uncovered another syndicate accused of diverting a trailer load of dairy products worth about N28 million.
The goods were loaded in Sagamu and meant for Jos. However, suspects diverted them to Ijebu Ode in Ogun State, where they sold the items to a buyer.
Police recovered the products before the syndicate could fully dispose of them.
Police Intensify Crackdown
Jimoh ordered detectives to deepen investigations and track down other fleeing members of the criminal groups.
He also assured residents of Lagos and Ogun states that the command would remain firm in tackling economic sabotage and crimes threatening business activities in the zone.
The AIG added that authorities would arraign the suspects in court after investigations conclude.
