Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command have intercepted a truck loaded with military camouflage uniforms and suspected illicit drugs, allegedly being transported to the South-East.
Four suspects, identified as Chinedu David, 29; Ezeagwu Chukwuma, 38; Ifeanyi Ogbeanyi, 45; and Ndidiamaka Emeka, 43, were arrested by operatives of the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit following intelligence-led operations on Saturday.
Briefing journalists at the Command headquarters on Tuesday afternoon, Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai, said operatives recovered an unregistered MAN diesel truck carrying 47 sacks of military camouflage uniforms and 80 cartons of substances suspected to be illicit drugs.
He said the truck was intercepted at Epe on Saturday morning while the items were being moved out of Lagos.
The police boss said preliminary investigations indicated that the military camouflage uniforms were being transported to a destination in the South-East.
According to him, the operation was carried out on the basis of credible intelligence, resulting in the arrest of those in possession of the items and the recovery of the exhibits.
“The bags contain Army military camouflage uniforms. You can see the large quantity recovered. The truck conveying them was intercepted while moving the items out of Lagos,” he said.
Fatai noted that the truck was also loaded with cartons of various drugs suspected to be illicit substances.
He said investigations were ongoing to identify those behind the shipment, the owner of the recovered items, and their intended recipients.
The police chief said efforts were also underway to apprehend other suspects linked to the case.
While assuring residents that the interception posed no immediate threat to Lagos, Fatai expressed concern over the possible use of the military uniforms by criminal elements.
“It does not pose any threat to Lagos because the items were being moved out of the state.
“However, considering the security challenges in parts of the country where criminals have been seen wearing military camouflage, we are investigating to determine the purpose of the shipment,” he said.
Police said the suspects remain in custody as investigations continue.