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The Zone 2 Police Command in Lagos has arrested nine suspected members of criminal syndicates accused of hijacking and diverting goods in transit, recovering stolen products valued at more than ₦60 million.
The suspects, said to be between the ages of 42 and 62, were reportedly arrested during a covert operation carried out by detectives attached to the Zone 2 Dragon Team after receiving credible intelligence about the activities of the syndicates.
According to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 2, Olohundare Jimoh, the criminal groups specialised in collaborating with truck drivers and their assistants to secretly divert goods from their original destinations before selling them to black-market buyers at cheaper rates.
The police boss explained that after diverting the goods, the suspects often abandoned the trucks in isolated locations to avoid being traced by security agencies.
One of the major discoveries involved two trucks loaded with 45,000 litres of molasses chemical originally meant for delivery in Benin Republic.
Police operatives reportedly intercepted one of the trucks while the suspects were allegedly transferring the chemical product to another receiver in the Itokin area of Lagos State.
The second truck was later recovered at a trailer park in Ogere, Ogun State, while the suspects were allegedly still searching for buyers.
According to the police, each truck loaded with the chemical products was valued at about ₦11 million.
In another operation, detectives uncovered a separate syndicate accused of diverting a trailer loaded with dairy products worth approximately ₦28 million.
The products were reportedly loaded in Sagamu and meant for delivery in Jos before they were illegally diverted to Ijebu Ode in Ogun State and sold to a buyer.
Police said the stolen products were recovered before they could be completely distributed or resold.
AIG Jimoh has now directed investigators to intensify efforts to arrest other fleeing members connected to the syndicates.
He assured residents and business owners in Lagos and Ogun states that the police remain committed to fighting economic sabotage, cargo theft and criminal activities threatening commercial operations in the region.
The police also confirmed that all suspects currently in custody would be charged to court after investigations are concluded.
Source: NAN / Zone 2 Police Command
