The Public Relations Officer of the command, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, who made this known in a statement issued on Saturday, said the operatives recovered a hijacked fuel tanker and arrested seven suspects linked to the crime.

The Lagos State Police Command has said that its crack detectives and special operatives have smashed a notorious criminal gang involved in the hijacking of trucks transporting fuel and goods in and outside the state.

The Public Relations Officer of the command, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, who made this known in a statement issued on Saturday, said the operatives recovered a hijacked fuel tanker and arrested seven suspects linked to the crime.

The police spokesperson said the operation followed a distress report made at about 6AM of Saturday by the driver of a fuel tanker at the Surulere Police Division. 

Hundeyin said that according to the driver’s report, the 45,000-liter tanker loaded with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol, was hijacked while in transit through the Alaka area of Surulere.

Acting swiftly, police operatives launched an intensive investigation that led to the discovery of the hijacked tanker, found emptied and abandoned in the Orile area of Lagos. 

“Crack detectives and special operatives of the Lagos Police Command swiftly responded and commenced investigation, leading to the recovery of the hijacked tanker, which was found empty at Orile area of Lagos,” he said.

Further intelligence gathering and discreet inquiries directed the police to a filling station in Ejigbo, where the stolen PMS had reportedly been offloaded.

On arrival at the location, officers uncovered another tanker being filled with the stolen product. In a coordinated operation, seven suspects were apprehended at the scene. 

The police spokesperson said, “The Police teams promptly swung into action, immediate response and discreet investigation into the case led the operatives to a filling station in Ejigbo, where the stolen PMS had been offloaded. 

“Upon arrival at the scene, officers discovered another tanker being loaded with the same product stolen from the hijacked tanker.”

The arrested suspects include 34-year-old Izuchukwu Nwanoruo, a businessman from Ejigbo; 29-year-old Kayode Falodun, a tricycle rider from Ejigbo; 35-year-old Ojo Ayodele, a mechanic from Ijegun Ijedodo; 24-year-old Ayomide Thompson, a graphics designer from Ijegun Ijedodo; 37-year-old Ahmed Saliu, a driver from Ejigbo; 38-year-old Igbalaye Kareem, a trader from Ogun State, and 38-year-old Babatunde Ahmed, a driver from Ejigbo.

“Additionally, the fuel tanker being used to transport away the stolen fuel has been recovered to the Police Station as exhibit,” Hundeyin said.

“The suspects are currently in Police custody and assisting the police with ongoing investigations.”

Speaking on the development, the Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, commended the swift response and professionalism of the officers involved. 

He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property in Lagos.

He also urged residents of Lagos to continue cooperating with the police by providing timely and useful information to help maintain law and order.

Hundeyin said the suspects are currently assisting the police with ongoing investigations and would be charged to court upon conclusion of inquiries.