Lagos Police Arrest Six Over Alleged Diversion Of N20bn Imported Goods From Ports

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE 

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested six suspects believed to be members of a highly organised syndicate accused of diverting imported goods valued at over N20 billion from the nation’s seaports over a period of 19 years.

The suspects were apprehended by operatives of the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit following persistent complaints from importers whose consignments mysteriously disappeared after being handed over to transporters for delivery to different parts of the country.

Those arrested were identified as Lateef Jamiu, Abubakar Amadu, Aliu Olanshile, Opeyemi Oyewale, Hassana Malami and Hassana Haruna.

Confirming the arrest, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, said the suspects are currently in custody while investigation continues to apprehend other members of the syndicate and their receivers. bef0

Police sources described Jamiu and Amadu as the suspected ringleaders of the group, which investigators say is one of the two most organised cargo diversion networks operating in Nigeria. The other gang is reportedly based in Kaduna State.

According to investigators, the two alleged leaders own several trailers used for their operations and have acquired properties and business investments in Niger Republic, the Republic of Benin and other locations outside Nigeria. Both men had previously appeared on the wanted lists of several police commands across the country.

A senior police source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the suspects perfected a simple but effective method. They usually loitered around Apapa Port and other ports in Lagos, posing as legitimate haulage operators searching for importers in need of trucks to move their consignments to the North, East and other parts of Nigeria.

Investigators alleged that the suspects also infiltrated WhatsApp groups used by transporters and logistics companies where haulage jobs are advertised. Once they secured a job, they would load the goods, disappear with the containers, and then erase every trace by changing their mobile phones and discarding SIM cards.

“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 said.

In one recent case cited by police, the group allegedly diverted a consignment containing forklifts, fabrics and imported ceramic plates valued at about N3 billion. The goods, which were meant to be delivered to Kano State, were instead diverted to Ojota in Lagos, where they were sold off. Some of the fabrics were later traced by detectives to a popular market in Agege.

http://P.M.EXPRESS gathered that traders in Agege and Ojota markets expressed shock over the incident, with several describing how suspected diverted fabrics flooded the markets at unusually cheap prices in recent months.

A Lagos-based clearing agent, who asked not to be named, told http://P.M.EXPRESS that many importers now prefer to use only transport companies with verifiable offices inside Apapa, following the rise in diversion cases.

Police reportedly recovered 11 mobile phones and eight SIM cards from Amadu during his latest arrest. The source disclosed that Amadu had previously been arrested in 2023 with 49 mobile phones and 188 SIM cards allegedly used to coordinate the diversion operations.

What has shocked investigators most is the alleged persistence of the suspects. A police source claimed that most members of the syndicate have been arrested several times in the past, but because goods diversion is a bailable offence, they returned to the alleged crime after regaining freedom.

About four members of the group, including the two alleged leaders, Jamiu and Amadu, were reportedly released from prison in February this year after previous prosecution for similar offences, while their drivers were released about two months later.

“This group is one of the two most organised goods-diverting gangs in Nigeria. They target multi-million and billion-naira worth of goods. Most of the members have been arrested many times in the past, and because it is a bailable offence, they returned to the crime once they were released from prison,” the source added.

The Lagos State Police Command says investigation is still ongoing, with detectives working to track down suspected receivers and buyers of the diverted goods in Lagos, Kano and other states.

Police authorities have advised importers to verify the identities of transporters and use only registered logistics companies with traceable offices and vehicle particulars to avoid falling victim.

The six suspects are expected to be charged to court upon conclusion of investigation.