Odita Sunday 
Zone 2 Police Smash Goods Diversion Syndicates, Recover N60m Worth Of Stolen Products
By Odita Sunday
The Nigeria Police Force Zone 2 Headquarters, Onikan, Lagos, has dismantled two major criminal syndicates allegedly involved in the diversion and illegal sale of goods in transit, recovering products valued at over N60 million in a coordinated intelligence-led operation.
The breakthrough, recorded under the leadership of AIG Olohundare Moshood Jimoh, led to the arrest of nine suspects linked to stealing, criminal conspiracy and economic sabotage across Lagos and Ogun states.
According to a statement issued on Saturday by DSP Afolayan Gbenga, detectives attached to the Zone 2 Dragon Team swung into action following credible intelligence from a reliable informant on the activities of criminal networks diverting goods from their lawful destinations to black market buyers.
The statement identified the arrested suspects as Innocent Nkem, 49; Gasali Ojo, 42; Arogundade Owolabi, 56; Banji Olatunji, 43; Dickson Nchekwube, 46; Henry Uwa, 51; Ikechukwu Olua, 52; Oludare Ebunolu, 63; and Imadu Charles, 62.
Police investigations revealed that the syndicates allegedly collaborated with truck drivers and their assistants to divert consignments before selling them at heavily discounted prices to illegal receivers. After carrying out the transactions, the suspects reportedly abandoned the trucks at strategic locations and fled to evade arrest.
The police disclosed that members of the first syndicate diverted two Benin-bound 45,000-litre trucks loaded with molasses chemical.
“One of the trucks was intercepted while the suspects were illegally trans-loading the product at Itokin area of Lagos State to a receiver identified as Banji Olatunji, while the second truck was recovered at Ogere trailer park in Ogun State as the suspects searched for a buyer,” the statement said.
Police estimated the value of each fully loaded truck of molasses chemical at N11 million.
Further investigations linked Innocent Nkem, Gasali Ojo, Arogundade Owolabi and Dickson Nchekwube to the operation.
In a related development, detectives also uncovered another syndicate allegedly responsible for diverting a Jos-bound trailer loaded with dairy products from Sagamu to Ijebu Ode in Ogun State.
The diverted dairy products, valued at about N28 million, were recovered during the operation, while Oludare Ebunolu was identified as the alleged receiver.
Other suspects linked to the dairy products diversion include Henry Uwa, Ikechukwu Olua and Imadu Charles.
The statement added that AIG Olohundare Moshood Jimoh had directed detectives to intensify investigations and track down other fleeing members of the syndicates.
The police also assured residents and business owners that efforts were ongoing to rid Lagos and Ogun states of criminal networks threatening commercial activities.
According to the statement, all suspects will be arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction upon the conclusion of investigations.
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