The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested four suspects in connection with the theft of four trucks belonging to the state fire service.
The state Commissioner of Police, Baba Muhammed Azare, disclosed this in his maiden briefing held at the command’s headquarters, Ikot Akpan-Abia, Uyo, the state capital on Monday.
Azare said the suspects were arrested following credible information by a Good Samaritan that the trucks were stolen and taken to Port Harcourt, Rivers State, adding that the operatives swung into action and further investigation revealed that the trucks were leased out to some multinational companies at the rate of N140,000 each per day for an initial period of three years.
Azare said “Based on credible information from a Good Samaritan that four of the state fire service trucks were stolen and taken to Port Harcourt, River State by some officials of the service, the command moved to recover the said trucks and further investigation revealed that the fire trucks were leased out to some multinational companies at the rate of N140,000 per truck per day for an initial period of three years.
“The link company’s share was N80,000 while the fire service officials share stood at N60, 000 per truck per day. The deal was done in 2021 and was expected to terminate by 2024.
“However, about two months to the expiration of the deal, the command acted and recovered the vehicles. The four suspects arrested in the case will be charge to court soon while the trucks will be release to the government to continue to serve the good people of the state while we continue to look for others at large.”