The Lagos State Police Command has arrested six suspected members of an alleged goods diversion syndicate accused of diverting imported consignments worth more than N20 billion over about 19 years.
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 about missing consignments transported from the Apapa Port.
LEADERSHIP gathered that the syndicate was involved in the diversion of high-value imported goods after securing transportation contracts from importers and logistics operators at the port.
According to the police, the group is one of the two major organised goods diversion syndicates operating in the country, with the other allegedly based in Kaduna.
The 2 Kingpins: L- Abubakar, R- Jamiu
Investigations further revealed that the suspects usually targeted consignments worth millions or billions of naira, with some members of the group having previously been arrested and prosecuted for similar offences.
“Most of the members have been arrested many times in the past, and because it is a bailable offence, they returned to the crime once they were released from prison,” the source alleged.
LEADERSHIP further gathered that four members of the syndicate, including the two suspected leaders, were released from prison in February 2026, while some of their drivers were released about two months later.
Meanwhile, investigations, according to the police, showed that the suspects allegedly operated around the Lagos ports and monitored requests from importers seeking trucks to transport their consignments to different parts of the country.
It was gathered that the suspects also joined WhatsApp groups operated by transporters and logistics companies, where requests for trucks were advertised.
“Once they get the offer, they disappear with the goods and erase every trace of their whereabouts by changing their phones and SIM cards,” the source alleged.
Police said 11 mobile phones and eight SIM cards were recovered from Abubakar at the time of his latest arrest. The command also alleged that he had previously been arrested in 2023 with 49 phones and 188 SIM cards.
The latest investigation followed the alleged diversion of forklifts, fabrics, imported plates and other goods valued at about N3 billion. Police said the suspects had agreed to transport the goods from Lagos to Kano before allegedly diverting them to Ojota, where the consignment was reportedly offloaded and sold to receivers.
One of the suspected leaders, Jamiu, reportedly confessed during interrogation that the group agreed to transport the goods to Kano but diverted the consignment after leaving the port.
“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 it and sold it to our receivers,” he reportedly told investigators.
Police also alleged that the suspects later informed the importer that their truck had broken down in Mokwa, in Niger State, and collected money from him purportedly for repairs.
Further investigation led operatives to some of the allegedly diverted fabrics in a market in Agege, where the importer reportedly identified the goods.
The police said the investigation subsequently led to the arrest of alleged receivers of the goods, the truck drivers and the two suspected leaders of the syndicate.
Abubakar, 45, reportedly told investigators that he began diverting goods with Jamiu about 19 years ago after they met while working as truck drivers for their former employers. Police also alleged that some of his investments were located in the Niger Republic.
The Command further alleged that Jamiu, an indigene of Ibadan, Oyo State, travelled frequently between Nigeria and the Republic of Benin, where he reportedly had investments.
The police described the two suspects as alleged multimillionaires who owned multiple trailers and properties in different locations, including the Niger Republic and the Republic of Benin.
The Lagos State Police spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, described the arrest as a big achievement by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, saying the investigation was ongoing.
She said the Command was working to identify and arrest other members of the syndicate and recover additional consignments allegedly diverted during the group’s previous operations.
The Command said the arrests were also in line with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, for police formations across the country to intensify efforts against activities considered economic sabotage.
Authorities are expected to establish the full extent of the alleged operations, identify other suspected collaborators and receivers, and determine the value and ownership of goods linked to the syndicate as the investigation progresses.