The Zone 2 police command, Onikan, Lagos, has apprehended nine suspects linked to two major criminal syndicates specialised in stealing and diversion of goods in transit, with the recovery of goods valued at more than N60 million.

The AIG in charge of the zone, Olohundare Jimoh, disclosed this on Monday in a statement issued by the zone’s spokesperson, Gbenga Afolayan.

Mr Jimoh said that the detectives attached to the Zone 2 Dragon Team acted on credible intelligence from a reliable informant and launched a covert operation to dismantle criminal networks that divert goods from their lawful destinations to illegal recipients and black-market buyers.

“The operation, carried out on May 15, led to the arrest of nine suspects who are between the ages of 42 and 62. Preliminary investigations revealed that the syndicates worked in collaboration with truck drivers and their assistants, who allegedly diverted goods in transit before selling them to receivers at reduced prices,” he said.

The police boss said the suspects usually abandoned the trucks at strategic locations after completing the transactions to evade arrest. The AIG said that investigations further showed that members of the first syndicate diverted two 45,000-litre trucks loaded with molasses chemical, intended for Benin.

“One of the trucks was intercepted while the suspects were allegedly trans-loading the product at the Itokin area of Lagos State to a receiver. The second truck and its contents were later recovered at Ogere trailer park in Ogun while the suspects were searching for a buyer, ” he said.

Mr Jimoh estimated the value of each truck loaded with molasses chemical at N11 million.

In a related development, Mr Jimoh said that the detectives uncovered another syndicate accused of diverting a trailer load of dairy products valued at about N28 million.

“The goods, which were loaded in Sagamu and destined for Jos, were diverted to the Ijebu Ode area of Ogun and sold to a buyer. Detectives recovered the products before they were fully disposed of, ” he said.

Mr Jimoh directed detectives to intensify investigations and ensure the arrest of other fleeing members of the syndicates.

He assured residents of Lagos and Ogun that the command would remain relentless in combating economic sabotage and other criminal activities threatening commercial operations in the zone.

Mr Jimoh said the suspects would be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigations. 

(NAN)