By DEBORAH AKPEDE

The Zone 2 Police Command, Onikan, Lagos, has arrested an accountant accused of masterminding a burglary in Maryland, Lagos, in which property worth about ?150 million was stolen.

The Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of the zone, Mr Olohundare Jimoh, disclosed this while briefing journalists on Tuesday in Lagos.

Jimoh said the suspect had been on the run since July 2025 and was arrested on Monday while attempting to re-enter Nigeria from Canada.

According to him, the arrest followed months of collaboration between the Nigeria Police Force and the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol).

He said the case began on July 11, 2025, when a burglary was reported at a residential property in Maryland, Lagos.

The AIG said investigations began immediately, leading to the arrest of several suspects directly linked to the crime.

“Those suspects were subsequently charged to court and remanded in prison custody.

“However, the principal suspect, who served as accountant to the late property owner for 17 years, fled to Canada before he could be arrested,” he said.

Jimoh said Interpol Nigeria was contacted on July 16, 2025, to assist in tracking the fugitive internationally.

He noted that months of intelligence gathering and surveillance eventually led to the suspect’s interception on his return to Nigeria.

“The arrest is a testament to the strong synergy between the Nigeria Police Force and Interpol.

“It demonstrates that no matter where a suspect flees after committing a crime, law enforcement agencies can track and bring such persons to justice,” he said.

The AIG said the suspect had already provided statements regarding his alleged role in the burglary and the involvement of other individuals.

He added that investigations were continuing to uncover the full network behind the crime.

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

“We are determined to ensure that everyone connected to this criminal act is brought to justice.

“This includes those who participated directly, benefited from it, or purchased and concealed stolen items,” he said.

Jimoh said preliminary investigations showed that valuables worth about ?150 million were stolen from the property.

He said the items were removed from a five-bedroom duplex and efforts were ongoing to recover outstanding property.

The AIG urged the public to report crimes promptly, assuring residents of the police commitment to securing justice for victims.

He said the arrest should serve as a warning that fleeing abroad would not shield offenders from prosecution.

“Anyone who commits a crime in Nigeria and believes travelling abroad will prevent arrest is mistaken.

“The Nigeria Police Force, working with Interpol and other international security agencies, will continue to pursue offenders wherever they may be,” he said.

Jimoh reaffirmed the commitment of the Inspector-General of Police to strengthening crime prevention, investigation and prosecution nationwide.

He said the force would continue leveraging international partnerships and intelligence-sharing mechanisms to combat transnational and organised crime.

According to him, anyone found to have knowingly received or purchased stolen items would face prosecution alongside the principal suspect. (NAN)

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