Police Arrest Six in Lagos for Stealing Imported Goods Worth N20bn

The Lagos State Police have arrested six people suspected of stealing imported goods worth over N20 billion in the last 19 years.

The suspects are Lateef Jamiu, Abubakar Amadu, Aliu Olanshile, Opeyemi Oyewale, Hassana Malami, and Hassana Haruna. They were caught by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit after importers reported missing shipments.

A police source told Saturday PUNCH on Friday that Jamiu and Amadu are leaders of one of the two main groups involved in stealing goods in Nigeria. The source said these two men own several trucks used for their operations and had been arrested and prosecuted for similar crimes before. They were released from prison earlier this year.

The suspects are said to have properties and investments in Niger Republic, Benin Republic, and other places. The source stated, "This group is one of the two most organised goods-diverting gangs in Nigeria. The other gang is based in Kaduna. They target goods worth millions and billions of naira."

"Most of the members have been arrested many times in the past, and because it is a bailable offence, they returned to crime once they got out of prison. About four members of this group, including the two leaders, Abubakar and Jamiu, were released from prison in February this year, while their drivers were released about two months later."

The source, who wished to remain anonymous, explained that the gang members often loiter around Lagos ports. They look for importers who need trucks to transport their goods to other parts of Nigeria.

"They hang around the ports in Lagos and search for people needing transportation for their imported goods to the North, East, and other areas of Nigeria. They also join WhatsApp groups of different transporters at the ports, where transportation needs are shared."

"Once they get an offer, they disappear with the goods and erase all traces that could lead to them by changing their phones and SIM cards," the source added. When Amadu was arrested, police found 11 phones and eight SIM cards on him. Earlier this year, he had been caught with 49 phones and 188 SIM cards.

The gang is said to have taken goods worth over N20 billion since they started operating about 19 years ago. In their latest operation, they stole forklifts, fabrics, plates, and other goods worth about N3 billion.

The suspects offered to transport goods from Lagos to Kano at an agreed price but instead diverted the shipment to Ojota in Lagos, where it was offloaded and sold to buyers. One of the leaders, Jamiu, reportedly admitted to the police, saying, "It is true that we agreed to help the importer move the goods from the port in Lagos to Kano. 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."

Jamiu, who is from Ibadan, Oyo State, said his wife and children live abroad. He also mentioned that he travels between Nigeria and the Republic of Benin, where he claims to have investments. Amadu, 45, told police he has been stealing goods with Jamiu for 19 years after they met as truck drivers for their previous employers.

He also said he has investments in Niger Republic, where he allegedly fled after successful operations in Nigeria. The police tracked some stolen fabrics to a market in Agege, Lagos, where the goods were identified by the importer.

Further investigation led to the arrest of the alleged buyers, truck drivers, and the two leaders. The suspects had told the importer that their truck broke down in Mokwa, Niger State, and collected money from him to fix it.

Confirming the arrests, Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer Abimbola Adebisi called the operation a major success for the Anti-Kidnapping Unit. Adebisi noted that the investigation is ongoing to catch other gang members and recover stolen goods from past operations. She said, "The arrests were in line with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to officers nationwide to step up the fight against criminals involved in economic sabotage."