Lagos Police Arrest Six in N20bn Goods Diversion Scheme

The Lagos State Police Command arrested six suspected members of a syndicate involved in the diversion of imported goods valued at over N20bn over the past 19 years. The suspects, identified as Lateef Jamiu, Abubakar Amadu, Aliu Olanshile, Opeyemi Oyewale, Hassana Malami, and Hassana Haruna, were apprehended by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit following complaints from importers about missing consignments.

Jamiu and Amadu are reportedly leaders of one of Nigeria's two most organized goods diversion syndicates, having been previously arrested and released from prison earlier this year. The syndicate loitered around Lagos ports, targeting importers needing trucks for transportation.

They would then disappear with the goods, erasing traces of their activities. In their latest operation, they diverted goods worth about N3bn.

During the arrest, 11 phones and eight SIM cards were recovered from Amadu, who had been arrested previously with 49 phones and 188 SIM cards.