Police Arrest Six Over Alleged ₦20bn Cargo Diversion

Kehinde Adeleye

The Lagos State Police Command has uncovered an alleged 19-year goods diversion network operating around the Lagos ports, arresting six suspected members of the syndicate linked to the diversion of imported consignments worth more than ₦20 billion.

The suspects, identified as Jamiu Lateef, Abubakar Amadu, Aliu Olanshile, Opeyemi Oyewale, Hassana Malami and Hassana Haruna, were arrested by operatives of the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit following complaints from importers over missing consignments from the Apapa Port.

Two of the suspects, Jamiu and 45-years-old Amadu, have been identified by police sources as alleged leaders of the syndicate, which reportedly targeted high value imported goods after securing transportation jobs from importers around the Lagos ports.

According to the police account, the suspects allegedly positioned themselves around the ports, monitoring importers and transport operators looking for trucks to move their goods.

They were also alleged to have joined WhatsApp groups used by transporters and logistics companies, where requests for trucks were advertised.

Once they secured a transportation job, the suspects allegedly collected the consignments, diverted them and changed their phones and SIM cards to frustrate attempts to trace them.

Police reportedly recovered 11 mobile phones and eight SIM cards from Amadu during his latest arrest. Investigators also alleged that he had previously been arrested with 49 phones and 188 SIM cards.

₦3bn Consignment Diverted in Lagos

The latest investigation followed the alleged diversion of forklifts, fabrics, imported plates and other goods valued at about ₦3 billion.

According to the police, the suspects secured a contract to transport the consignment from the Lagos port but allegedly diverted the truck to Ojota, Lagos, where the goods were offloaded and sold to alleged receivers.

One of the suspected leaders, Jamiu, reportedly admitted during interrogation that the consignment was loaded at the port but was diverted to Ojota.

“It is true that we agreed to help the importer move the goods from the port in Lagos. We negotiated and loaded the goods at the port but instead of going to Kano, we diverted to a place in Ojota, where we offloaded them and sold them to our receivers,” he reportedly told investigators.

Police said the suspects allegedly later told the importer that their truck had broken down, using the claim to collect money purportedly meant for repairs.

The investigation took another turn after detectives traced some of the allegedly diverted fabrics to a market in Agege, Lagos.

The importer reportedly identified the fabrics as part of the missing consignment, leading investigators to alleged receivers of the goods, truck drivers and the two suspected leaders.

Police sources further alleged that Jamiu and Amadu had previously been arrested and prosecuted over similar offences and were released from prison earlier this year.

The source alleged that four members of the syndicate, including the two suspected leaders, were released in February, while some of their drivers were released about two months later. The claim remains part of the police account and would be subject to evidence and due legal process.

The Lagos State Police Command also alleged that the suspects owned several trailers and had acquired properties and investments in different locations.

Confirming the arrests, Lagos State Police spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, described the operation as a major achievement by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit.

Adebisi said investigation was ongoing to arrest other suspected members of the syndicate and recover more goods allegedly diverted during previous operations.

The Command said the operation was part of efforts to tackle activities it described as economic sabotage.

The allegations against the suspects remain subject to investigation and due legal process.