The Lagos State Police Command has arrested six suspected members of a syndicate allegedly involved in diverting imported goods worth more than ₦20 billion from Apapa Port over the past 19 years.
The suspects include Jamiu Lateef, Abubakar Amadu, Aliu Olanshile, Opeyemi Oyewale, Hassana Malami and Hassana Haruna. Police described them as members of one of the two most notorious goods-diversion syndicates operating in Nigeria.
Jamiu Lateef and Abubakar Amadu were identified as the alleged leaders of the syndicate. They reportedly own several trailers and have properties and investments in Niger Republic, Benin Republic and other locations.
Police said the two men had previously been arrested and prosecuted over alleged goods diversion and were released from prison earlier this year.
The suspects were arrested by operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Lagos State Police Command following complaints from importers over missing consignments.
A police source said the syndicate usually operated around Lagos ports, targeting importers who needed transportation services to move goods to different parts of the country.
According to the source, members of the group joined WhatsApp platforms used by transporters and transportation companies, where requests for trucks were posted. After securing transportation contracts, they allegedly diverted the goods and changed their phones and SIM cards to avoid being traced.
Police reportedly recovered 11 phones and eight SIM cards from Abubakar when he was arrested. The source added that he had previously been arrested in 2023 with 49 phones and 188 SIM cards.
The syndicate is alleged to have diverted goods worth more than ₦20 billion since it began operating about 19 years ago.
In its latest operation, the group allegedly diverted forklifts, fabrics and imported plates worth about ₦3 billion.
Police said the suspects agreed to transport the goods from Lagos to Kano but allegedly diverted the consignment to Ojota, where it was offloaded and sold to receivers.
One of the alleged leaders, Jamiu, reportedly confessed to the offence during interrogation, saying the goods were diverted after they had been loaded at the port.
He reportedly told investigators that he frequently travelled between Nigeria and Benin Republic, where he had some investments.
Abubakar, 45, also reportedly told police that he started diverting goods with Jamiu about 19 years ago after they met while working as truck drivers for their former employers. He allegedly said he invested some of the proceeds in Niger Republic.
During the investigation, police traced some of the diverted fabrics to a market in Agege, where the importer identified them.
Further investigations reportedly led to the arrest of alleged receivers, truck drivers and the two suspected leaders of the syndicate.
The suspects had allegedly told the importer that their truck broke down in Mokwa, Niger State, and requested money to repair it.
The spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, SP Abimbola Adebisi, described the arrests as a major achievement by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit.
She said investigations were ongoing to arrest other members of the syndicate and recover additional goods allegedly diverted during previous operations.
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