Law enforcement apprehends financial expert in connection with purported ₦150m theft in Lagos

The Zone 2 Police Command, located in Onikan, Lagos, has apprehended an accountant who allegedly orchestrated a burglary in Maryland, Lagos, resulting in the theft of approximately ₦150 million worth of property.

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This development was disclosed by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Mr Olohundare Jimoh, while addressing journalists in Lagos on Tuesday.

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According to Jimoh, the suspect had been evading capture since July 2025, but was finally arrested on Monday upon attempting to re-enter Nigeria from Canada.

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The arrest was made possible through a collaborative effort between the Nigeria Police Force and the International Criminal Police Organisation, which had been working together for several months.

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The case began on July 11, 2025, when a burglary was reported at a residential property in Maryland, Lagos, prompting an immediate investigation.

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The investigation led to the arrest of several suspects directly linked to the crime, who were subsequently charged to court and remanded in prison custody.

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However, the principal suspect, who had served as the accountant to the late property owner for 17 years, had fled to Canada before he could be apprehended.

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On July 16, 2025, Interpol Nigeria was contacted to assist in tracking the fugitive internationally, marking the beginning of a months-long intelligence gathering and surveillance operation.

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The suspect's eventual interception upon his return to Nigeria was a direct result of this operation, demonstrating the strong partnership between the Nigeria Police Force and Interpol.

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Jimoh noted that the arrest serves as a testament to the ability of law enforcement agencies to track and bring suspects to justice, regardless of their attempts to flee.

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The suspect has already provided statements regarding his alleged role in the burglary and the involvement of other individuals, with ongoing investigations aiming to uncover the full network behind the crime.

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The police are working to identify and arrest anyone who facilitated the offence, shared in its proceeds, or knowingly received stolen property, according to Jimoh.

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Preliminary investigations have revealed that valuables worth approximately ₦150 million were stolen from the property, which was removed from a five-bedroom duplex.

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Efforts are currently underway to recover the outstanding property, with the AIG urging the public to report crimes promptly and assuring residents of the police commitment to securing justice for victims.

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Jimoh warned that fleeing abroad would not shield offenders from prosecution, emphasizing that the Nigeria Police Force, in collaboration with Interpol and other international security agencies, would continue to pursue offenders wherever they may be.

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The Inspector-General of Police has reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening crime prevention, investigation, and prosecution nationwide, leveraging international partnerships and intelligence-sharing mechanisms to combat transnational and organised crime.

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Anyone found to have knowingly received or purchased stolen items will face prosecution alongside the principal suspect, according to Jimoh.