Lagos State Police Command detectives have taken seven people into custody in relation to the hijacking and diverting of fuel tankers in Lagos.

 

 

 

The suspects were identified as Izuchukwu Nwanoruo, 34, Kayode Falodun, 29, Ojo Ayodele, 35, Ayomide Thompson , 24, Ahmed Saliu, 37, Igbalaye Kareem, 38, and Babatunde Ahmed ‘m’ aged 38, were arrested by officers working to curb the increasing incidence of hijacking and diversion of petroleum products in the state.

 

 

 

 

Confirming their arrest, spokesperson of the Lagos State police command, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, stated that the suspects were tracked to a petrol station in the Ejigbo area of Lagos State.

 

 

 

According to Hundeyin, the driver of a hijacked tanker carrying 45,000 liters of fuel reported the hijacking of the 45,000-liter tanker carrying Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to the Surulere Police Division at approximately 6:00 AM on Saturday, June 28, 2025.

 

 

 

 

He said that the tanker driver claimed that he was travelling to his destination through Alaka, Surulere, Lagos, when gunmen seized the truck and its contents.

 

 

 

 

The hijacked tanker was found empty in the Orile area of Lagos after a quick response and investigation by special operatives and crack detectives of the Lagos Police Command, he said, based on the strength of the information.

 

 

 

“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.

 

 

 

 

 

“Seven suspects namely: Izuchukwu Nwanoruo ‘m’ aged 34, a business man from Ejigbo; Kayode Falodun ‘m’ aged 29, a tricycle rider from Ejigbo; Ojo Ayodele ‘m’ aged 35, a mechanic from Ijegun Ijedodo; Ayomide Thompson ‘m’ aged 24, a graphics designer from Ijegun Ijedodo; Ahmed Saliu ‘m’ aged 37, a driver from Ejigbo; Igbalaye Kareem ‘m’ aged 38, a trader from Ogun State; and Babatunde Ahmed ‘m’ aged 38, a driver from Ejigbo, involved in this criminal act were promptly arrested at the filling station. Additionally, the fuel tanker being used to transport away the stolen fuel has been recovered to the Police Station as exhibit. The suspects are currently in Police custody and assisting the police with ongoing investigations.

 

 

 

 

 

“The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Olohundare Jimoh, while commending the operatives for a diligent job, assures Lagosians of the unreserved commitment of the Command to ensuring adequate safety of lives and property. CP Jimoh equally encourages Lagosians to continue providing timely information to aid the efforts of the police in maintaining security across the state” he stated.

 

 

 

 

 

Hundeyin further disclosed that all suspects will be charged to court at the conclusion of investigations.