By Fatima Zahra Muhammad
ASHENEWS reports that the Police in Lagos State have arrested two suspects, Tope Ojo, and Nojeem Haruna over the alleged diversion of aviation fuel worth N46 million.
The Police in a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluniyi Ogundeyi said that the suspects were arrested by operatives of the Force Criminal Investigations Department (Force-CID), Lagos Annex, Alagbon following a tip-off.
“The arrest follows a petition addressed to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) by a civic-minded Nigerian, alerting the Force-CID of plots by some hoodlums to intercept and divert petroleum products worth billions of Naira.
“Preliminary investigations by the Annex, in compliance with the IGP’s directives, revealed that a tanker trailer loaded with aviation fuel was intercepted by the principal suspect – Tope Ojo – and his gang members at Ilesha in Osun State.
“The suspects, having taken control of the tanker trailer, successfully trans-loaded the product into another tanker before proceeding to maliciously destroy the initial tanker conveying the product.
“Detailed investigations conducted by the Force-CID, Lagos Annex, Alagbon, have since established a prima facie case of economic sabotage, diversion of aviation fuel, stealing and malicious damage, against the arrested suspects and other members of their gang still at large,” the statement said.
The statement added that the police have since commenced a manhunt for other members of the duo’s gang as well as others who might have aided the crime.
“Meanwhile, investigators from the Annex are beaming their searchlight on habitual receivers of these stolen products and other suspects, that aid and abet the crime by providing transportation and storage facilities for the stolen products.
“The Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of the Force-CID, Lagos Annex, Alagbon, AIG Frank Mba, mni has charged the investigators to ensure that all suspects linked to the crime are arrested and brought to book, ” the statement said.
