Lagos police arrest six over alleged N20bn goods diversion
Lagos police say six people have been arrested over an alleged syndicate that diverted imported goods worth more than N20bn over 19 years. Investigators say the group targeted consignments arranged for road transport from the ports, while police continue efforts to recover goods and identify other suspected members.
The Lagos State Police Command has arrested six people allegedly linked to a syndicate accused of diverting imported goods worth more than N20bn over about 19 years. The suspects were identified as Lateef Jamiu, Abubakar Amadu, Aliu Olanshile, Opeyemi Oyewale, Hassana Malami and Hassana Haruna. They were arrested by operatives of the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit after importers reported missing consignments.
A police source told Saturday PUNCH that Jamiu and Amadu were allegedly leaders of one of the country’s two most organised goods-diversion syndicates. The source said the pair owned several trailers and had previously been arrested and prosecuted for similar offences before being released from prison earlier this year. According to the source, the suspects allegedly sought customers around Lagos ports and on WhatsApp groups used by transporters.
After securing jobs to move goods to other parts of Nigeria, they allegedly diverted the consignments, changed telephone numbers and SIM cards, and attempted to conceal their whereabouts. Police said the latest alleged diversion involved forklifts, fabrics, imported plates and other items valued at about N3bn. Investigators said a consignment intended for Kano was instead taken to Ojota, Lagos, where it was allegedly offloaded and sold.
Some fabrics were later traced to a market in Agege and identified by the importer. The police said 11 phones and eight SIM cards were recovered from Amadu. A police source also said he had previously been arrested with 49 phones and 188 SIM cards.
Lagos police spokesperson Abimbola Adebisi confirmed the arrests, describing the operation as a major achievement, and said efforts were continuing to arrest other suspects and recover more goods.
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