ZONE 2 POLICE Dismantle Two Major Criminal Syndicates Specializing In The Theft, Diversion Of Goods In Transit, Recovering Merchandise Valued At Over N60M

The Nigeria Police Force, Zone 2 Headquarters in Onikan,Lagos, under the leadership of AIG Olohundare Moshood Jimoh, has achieved a significant operational success in its ongoing efforts to combat theft, economic sabotage, and criminal conspiracy. This breakthrough involved the apprehension of nine suspects associated with two prominent syndicates implicated in cases of theft, diversion of goods in transit, and criminal conspiracy. The successful operation resulted in the recovery of diverted goods valued at over sixty million naira (N60,000,000).

Acting on credible intelligence provided by a reliable informant, detectives assigned to the Zone 2 Headquarters Dragon Team initiated a covert investigation. The objective of this investigation was to dismantle criminal networks responsible for rerouting goods from their intended destinations to illicit receivers and black market purchasers.
This intelligence-driven operation led to the arrest of the following individuals: Innocent Nkem, male, 49 years old; Gasali Ojo, male, 42 years old; Arogundade Owolabi, male, 56 years old; Banji Olatunji, male, 43 years old; Dickson Nchekwube, male, 46 years old; Henry Uwa, male, 51 years old; Ikechukwu Olua, male, 52 years old; Oludare Ebunolu, male, 63 years old; and Imadu Charles, male, 62 years old.
Preliminary investigations have revealed that these syndicates operated through criminal arrangements involving truck drivers and their assistants. These individuals deliberately diverted goods from their legitimate destinations before selling them to receivers at significantly reduced prices. The modus operandi typically involved the suspects abandoning the trailer or truck at a strategic location after completing the illicit transactions, subsequently fleeing to evade apprehension.
Further investigations revealed that members of the first syndicate diverted two 45,000-liter trucks, fully loaded with molasses chemical and destined for Benin (Edo State). The first truck was recovered in the Itokin area of Lagos State while its contents were being illegally trans-loaded to the receiver, Banji Olatunji. The second truck and its goods were recovered at the Ogere trailer park in Ogun State, where the suspect was actively seeking a buyer. The estimated value of a 45,000-liter loaded truck of molasses chemical is eleven million naira (N11,000,000).

Other individuals linked to this syndicate include Innocent Nkem, Gasali Ojo, Arogundade Owolabi, and Dickson Nchekwube.
In a related development, detectives uncovered another criminal syndicate responsible for diverting a trailer load of dairy products that was en route to Jos (Plateau State). The goods, loaded at Sagamu, were illegally diverted to Oludare Ebunolu in the Ijebu Ode area of Ogun State. Detectives acted swiftly and recovered the diverted dairy products, valued at approximately twenty-eight million naira (N28,000,000). Other suspects linked to this syndicate include Henry Uwa, Ikechukwu Olua, and Imadu Charles.
The Assistant Inspector General of Police has directed that investigations be intensified to apprehend other fleeing members of these criminal syndicates. The public is assured that all efforts will be made to dismantle all forms of crime and criminal syndicates within Lagos and Ogun States.
The suspects will be arraigned in a court of competent jurisdiction upon the conclusion of investigations.
The Zone 2 Headquarters remains resolute in its commitment to safeguarding commercial activities and ensuring that no criminal elements have a hiding place in Lagos and Ogun States.