In its avowed determination to curb illegal activities at various ports in Nigeria, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has recovered 1,238 bags of Wheat meant for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Kano State, which were diverted from Ibeto Port Terminal in Port-Harcourt.
The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, who disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, February 18, 2024, confirmed that five (5) suspects were arrested in connection with the crime.
ACP Adejobi said, the Force’s commitment was re-echoed when the Eastern Port Police Command confirmed the arrest of 5 suspects in connection with the diversion of bags of wheat belonging to the United Nations World Food Programme (UNWFP) on the 6th of February 2024.
He revealed that the 1,840 bags of wheat which were to be transported from Ibeto Port Terminal, Port-Harcourt, to an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp located in Kano State were fraudulently diverted by the drivers tasked with this assignment, alongside their accomplices, who were intercepted and apprehended by the operatives of the Nigeria Police attached to the Eastern Port.
The Force PRO said, the operatives made an arrest of five (5) suspects namely Umar Hashim, Edidiong Umoh, Udah Stanley, Abubakar Jariri, and Yunusa Babangida, and recovered 1,238 stolen bags of wheat along with the truck and a bus used in carrying out the crime.
He said, the recovered bags of wheat have been returned to the World Food Programme, and efforts are in top gear to recover the missing 602 bags of wheat and arrest the other suspects associated with the crime.
According to him, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun has re-emphasized the goal of the Nigeria Police to ensure that individuals engaged in activities aimed at sabotaging the economy of the country and entrenching hardships among the vulnerable members of the public are ardently dealt with in line with extant laws.
He has therefore, ordered that the suspects be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations and tying of all loose ends.
