Operatives of the Lagos State Rapid Response Squad (RRS) have arrested a 47-year-old man, Taiwo Hassan, in connection with the theft of goods from trucks transiting through Lagos, particularly from the Apapa axis.

Hassan was apprehended around 2:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 6, 2025, while allegedly offloading stolen goods from a truck at Costain, a known transit route for cargo-laden vehicles exiting the ports.

The arrest, according to the RRS, followed sustained surveillance and intelligence aimed at curbing the activities of criminal syndicates targeting haulage trucks moving consignments out of Lagos, especially at night.

Preliminary investigations revealed that Hassan is part of a gang that specializes in pilfering goods from slow-moving or stationary trucks during nighttime transit. The stolen items are then discreetly transferred into another vehicle, often without the knowledge of the truck drivers.

Items recovered at the scene include a Toyota Sienna vehicle containing 10 cartons of Top Cafe 3-in-1 coffee, seven Littmann Classic II stethoscopes, several doctors’ manuals, medical textbooks, and two pouches of surgical theater kits.

Hassan’s accomplice, identified as Sheriff, reportedly fled the scene upon sighting the approaching police team and is currently at large.

Commander of the RRS, CSP Shola Jejeloye, confirmed the arrest and stated that the suspect would be charged to court. He also assured the public that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing accomplice and dismantle the syndicate.

“The safety of goods in transit is a top priority for the Lagos State Police Command,” Jejeloye said. “We will continue to intensify operations to ensure criminal elements are flushed out of the system.”