The Lagos State Police Command has arrested four suspects, including a fuel station manager, over their alleged role in a robbery gang responsible for hijacking fuel tankers and commercial trucks in the state.
The arrests, made in the Ejigbo area of Lagos, followed weeks of undercover surveillance and a tip-off. The suspects identified as Noble Saint Neokoro (44), Batomie Samson (48), Abubakar Ali (47), and Bitrus Ibrahim (42) were tracked and picked up by the Command’s Tactical Squad Hawk.
Police spokesperson SP Benjamin Hundeyin confirmed the arrest and said the station manager was part of the group. He added that the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) assisted the police in locating the suspects.
“The suspects have confessed to being part of a gang that hijacks fuel tankers and commercial trucks,” Hundeyin said.
The breakthrough followed a June 28 operation in Orile, where seven other suspects were arrested while offloading a stolen fuel tanker at the same Ejigbo station.
Those arrested earlier include Izuchukwu Nwanoruo, Kayode Falodun, Ojo Ayodele, Ayomide Thompson, Ahmed Saliu, Igbalaye Kareem, and Babatunde Ahmed. A hijacked tanker full of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) was recovered and has been taken in as evidence.
Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, praised the efforts of the officers involved and vowed to continue cracking down on criminal gangs.
“We are committed to making Lagos safer. We urge the public to support us with useful information. All suspects will be charged once investigations are concluded,” he said.