Truck looting syndicate busted: RRS nabs notorious Taiwo Hassan

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

In a dramatic night operation, operatives of the Lagos Rapid Response Squad (RRS) have arrested 47-year-old Taiwo Hassan, a suspected member of a notorious gang that specialises in looting goods from moving trucks transiting out of Lagos.

The suspect was caught in the act around 2:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 6, while offloading stolen goods from a truck in the Costain area.

His arrest marks a major breakthrough in a sustained police operation targeting criminals who prey on delivery trucks navigating Lagos highways, particularly those leaving the Apapa port corridor.

In a post on the official RRS handle (@rrslagos767), the police revealed that the arrest was part of ongoing efforts to dismantle syndicates “stealing goods from loaded trucks transiting out of Apapa and Lagos.”

According to preliminary investigations, Hassan and his gang routinely intercept moving trucks at night, discreetly offload part of the cargo, and transfer the stolen goods into a separate vehicle, all without the driver’s knowledge.

The RRS disclosed that a Sienna vehicle was recovered from the scene, already loaded with stolen items including: 10 cartons of Top Café 3-in-1 coffee, 7 Littmann Classic II stethoscopes, Doctors’ manuals and medical textbooks and 2 pouches of theatre kits

Hassan’s alleged accomplice, identified only as Sheriff, managed to escape after spotting the advancing police officers.

A manhunt is now underway to apprehend him and other members of the gang.

Commenting on the arrest, Commander of the RRS, CSP Shola Jejeloye, said: “This operation is part of our strategic efforts to sanitise Lagos roads and end criminal activities targeting goods in transit. The suspect will be charged to court immediately, and we are leaving no stone unturned in tracking down the rest of the syndicate.”

The Lagos State Police Command has reiterated its zero tolerance for highway theft and assured residents and transporters of enhanced patrol and intelligence operations across key transport routes.

With truck drivers often unaware their goods are being siphoned off mid-journey, the RRS says it is intensifying surveillance to prevent further attacks on commercial logistics.