The Lagos State Police Command has intercepted 47 sacks containing military camouflage uniforms and 80 cartons of suspected illicit substances during an intelligence-led operation in the Surulere area of the state.
Speaking to journalists at the command headquarters in Ikeja on Tuesday, the Commissioner of Police, Fatai Tijani, said three suspects were arrested in connection with the seizure.
The suspects, identified as Chinedu David, 29, Ezeagwu Chukwuma, 38, and Ifeanyi Ogbeanyi, 45, were apprehended on Saturday by operatives of the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit.
According to the police chief, the suspects were arrested while transporting the items in an unregistered MAN diesel truck.
“Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command attached to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, acting on intelligence, arrested three suspects and recovered an unregistered MAN diesel truck loaded with 47 sacks containing military camouflage uniforms and 80 cartons of substances suspected to be illicit drugs,” Tijani said.
Preliminary investigations, he disclosed, indicate that the military uniforms were allegedly being transported to Nigeria’s South-East region.
The commissioner noted that investigations were ongoing to determine the origin of the uniforms and suspected drugs, identify their intended recipients, and establish the level of involvement of the suspects and other possible accomplices.
“Investigation is ongoing to determine the source, ownership and intended recipients of the recovered items, as well as identify other persons connected with the criminal act,” he added.
Tijani, however, assured residents that the intercepted consignment did not pose an immediate threat to Lagos, explaining that the truck was merely passing through the state.
He expressed concern over the growing use of military-style uniforms by criminal groups, including bandits, across the country.
“It does not pose any direct threat to Lagos State because the items were being moved out of the state. However, given the trend of criminals disguising themselves in military uniforms, it is difficult to determine what the uniforms were intended for,” he said.
A police source familiar with the investigation disclosed that the truck driver and his assistant were initially arrested, while two additional suspects were later apprehended after they reportedly visited a police station in Surulere to claim ownership of the recovered items.
The interception comes amid heightened concerns over the circulation of military-grade uniforms among criminal elements and their use in facilitating criminal activities nationwide.
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