Police Recover Missing Fire Trucks Illegally Leased Out

January 14, 2025 EMMANUEL ADEBAYO AJIBOLA

The Akwa Ibom State Commissioner of Police, Baba Azare, disclosed details of the investigation during a press briefing in Uyo yesterday. He confirmed that the firefighting trucks had been leased out at ₦140,000 per day under a deal initiated in 2021. According to Azare, the suspects are being charged with conspiracy and theft, with the illegal arrangement running for several years.

“Based on credible information from a Good Samaritan that four of the state fire service trucks were stolen and taken to Port Harcourt by some officials of the service, the command moved swiftly to recover the said trucks,” Azare said.

He further explained, “Investigations revealed that the fire trucks were leased out to multinational companies at a rate of ₦140,000 per truck per day. The company retained ₦80,000, while fire service officials pocketed ₦60,000 per truck daily. The deal, which began in 2021, was set to terminate in 2024. However, we intervened about two months before the expiration of the contract, recovered the trucks, and arrested the suspects.”

Azare assured that the suspects would be charged in court shortly, and the trucks would be returned to the government for public service. He added that efforts were ongoing to apprehend others involved in the scheme who are still at large.

In a separate operation, the police arrested two suspects, Prosper Jim and Uduak Benson, for vandalizing a transformer at Sure Foundation Polytechnic, Ikot Atai, in Ukanafun Local Government Area. The suspects drained transformer oil worth ₦800,000 and stole armoured cables valued at ₦3.5 million.

“The command recovered the transformer, armoured cables, and items suspected to be used for rituals from the suspects. They will be charged to court soon,” Azare confirmed.

Azare assured the public of the command’s continued commitment to justice and the protection of lives and property in Akwa Ibom State.