Maritime Police Command arrests two For container theft, faking indemnity to Shipping Companies

By Abiodun OBA

Maritime Police Command, Lagos said its Surveillance Team has arrested two members of a criminal syndicate which specializes in hijacking and stealing empty containers from importers and transporters in Lagos.

The Command’s Ag. Police Public Relations Officer, ASP EHINMODE, Rowland Adewumi, in a statement in Lagos, disclosed that the Maritime surveillance team headed by SP Kenneth Ogbeifun on Wednesday 17th April 2024 after painstaking efforts arrested two suspects Okechukwu Onyewuenyi, 43, Chukwuma Ogwashima, 42.

The duo and other members who are at large are fond of faking indemnity to shipping companies and thereafter sell the empty containers to unsuspecting members of the public.

“Luck ran out of these two when a case of stolen containers was reported to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), Maritime Police Command, AIG Olofu A. Rhoda, who ordered the Surveillance Team to investigate.

“After a painstaking investigation, the suspects were apprehended in their hideout at Ijegun area of Lagos state, while others took to flight.

“Other members of the gang at large include one Prince Oba, Israel Godwin and others. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects,” Ehinmode revealed.

Meanwhile, the two arrested suspects have since been charged to Court and remanded in prison custody.

AIG Olofu A. Rhoda warns that all those who are hell bent at committing all forms of criminality will not be spared whenever they are caught.

The AIG stated further that, the Command under her watch will not relent in fighting crimes being perpetuated at the ports and the nations’ waterways.