The Police in Lagos on Thursday said it had foiled an attempt by suspected criminals to divert and steal a trailer loaded with 600 bags of rice.
This is contained in a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer in Lagos state, Patricia Amadin.
The statement said the incident happened at about 8 p.m. on Aug. 30, after the trailer left Apapa Wharf.
“On Aug. 30, 2015 at about 8 p.m., the police foiled an attempt by a well-organised criminal syndicate to divert and steal a fully loaded Mack Trailer with Registration No. BDG 524 XH containing 600 bags of rice.
“The trailer had earlier loaded and departed from the Wharf at Apapa and was heading to its final destination at a warehouse in Agboju area.
“The driver, who is currently at large, working in collaboration with other criminal elements, diverted the trailer to Mile II Estate.
“While the gang members were busy off-loading the several hundreds of bags of rice, Police operatives from Area ‘E’ Command, Festac Town, acting on a tip-off, swooped on them.
“The suspects were arrested and the trailer and its content were recovered to Area ‘E’ Command Office,” it said.
The statement said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Fatai Owoseni, had expressed concern over increasing cases of diversion of trailers and containers from Nigerian ports.
It said that the commissioner advised transport and haulage companies to strengthen internal checks and controls within their companies to reduce the rate of collusion between their staff and external criminals.
‘’Owoseni commended the personnel of the FESTAC Area Command for the timely intervention that led to the arrest of the suspects and the recovery of the diverted trailer,’’ it said.
The statement said the recovered trailer and the 600 bags of rice had been released to the owners, H. Safieddine Transport Company Ltd, adding that the principal suspect, Babatunde Omoh and others would be charged to court. (NAN)