The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has apprehended four suspects in connection with the theft of four fire service trucks belonging to the state government.
During his maiden briefing on Monday at the command’s headquarters in Ikot Akpan-Abia, Uyo, the state Commissioner of Police (CP), Baba Muhammed Azare, disclosed that the trucks were recovered in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, following a tip-off from a Good Samaritan.
Azare revealed that investigations showed the trucks had been illicitly leased to multinational companies for ₦140,000 per truck per day since 2021, with the profits split between the link company (₦80,000) and the fire service officials involved (₦60,000).
The deal, initially set for three years, was disrupted by the police two months before its expiration.
“The trucks have been recovered and will be returned to the government to continue serving the people of Akwa Ibom,” Azare said. “The suspects will face prosecution, and efforts are ongoing to apprehend others involved in the scheme.”
Azare also highlighted other achievements by the command, including arrests related to vandalism, kidnapping, and rape.
Two suspects, Prosper Brownson Jim and Uduak Sunday Benson, were arrested for vandalizing a transformer at Sure Foundation Polytechnic, Ikot Atai, Ukanafun LGA.
The suspects drained transformer oil valued at ₦800,000 and stole armoured cables worth ₦3.5 million.
Items recovered included parts of the transformer, armoured cables, and items believed to be charms.
The CP revealed that a director in the state Ministry of Justice and his niece were rescued after being kidnapped by armed men in December 2024.
Operatives raided a forest hideout in Ikot Ukpong Village, Abak LGA, rescuing the victims from an abandoned soak-away.
Two suspects were neutralized during the operation, while two others, Ability Etim Samuel (45) and David Vincent Samuel (36), were arrested.
Six suspects were arrested in connection with the repeated sexual abuse of a 13-year-old girl over three years.
Azare reaffirmed the command’s commitment to tackling crime and ensuring public safety. “We are stepping up efforts to combat criminal activities, protect public assets, and bring perpetrators to justice,” he said.