Accountant arrested for leading N150m burglary in Lagos

The Zone 2 Police Command in Onikan, Lagos, has arrested an accountant accused of leading a burglary in Maryland, Lagos. Property worth about ₦150 million was stolen during this incident.

The Assistant Inspector-General of Police for the zone, Mr Olohundare Jimoh, shared this news while speaking to reporters on Tuesday in Lagos.

Jimoh explained that the suspect had been on the run since July 2025. He was caught on Monday while trying to come back to Nigeria from Canada.

This arrest came after months of cooperation between the Nigeria Police Force and the International Criminal Police Organisation, known as Interpol.

The case started on July 11, 2025, when a burglary was reported at a residential home in Maryland, Lagos. Investigations kicked off quickly, leading to several arrests of people linked to the crime.

“Those suspects were charged to court and sent to prison,” he said. “But the main suspect, who worked as an accountant for the late property owner for 17 years, fled to Canada before he could be caught.”

Jimoh said Interpol Nigeria was involved on July 16, 2025, to help track down the fugitive globally. He mentioned that months of information gathering and surveillance led to the suspect being caught upon his return to Nigeria.

“The arrest shows how well the Nigeria Police Force and Interpol work together,” he said. “It proves that no matter where a suspect runs to after committing a crime, law enforcement can find them and bring them to justice.”

The AIG noted that the suspect has already given statements about his role in the burglary and others involved. Investigations are still ongoing to reveal the full network behind the crime.

He said police are on the lookout to identify and arrest anyone who helped with the crime, shared in its gains, or knowingly received stolen goods. “We are determined to make sure everyone connected to this crime faces justice,” he said.

“This includes those who took part directly, gained from it, or bought and hid stolen items.” Jimoh said early investigations indicated that valuables worth about ₦150 million were taken from the property.

He explained that these items were removed from a five-bedroom duplex, and efforts are still on to recover the remaining property. The AIG urged the public to report crimes quickly, promising that the police are committed to securing justice for victims.

He added that this arrest should warn others that running abroad will not protect offenders from being prosecuted. “Anyone who commits a crime in Nigeria and thinks traveling abroad will keep them safe is wrong,” he said.

“The Nigeria Police Force, alongside Interpol and other international security agencies, will keep pursuing offenders wherever they go.” Jimoh also confirmed the Inspector-General of Police's commitment to improving crime prevention, investigation, and prosecution all over Nigeria.

He said the police will keep using international partnerships and sharing intelligence to fight transnational and organized crime. According to him, anyone found to have knowingly received or bought stolen items will face charges alongside the main suspect.