- By Femi Alabi
The Nigeria Police Force has arrested 5 suspects in connection with the diversion of 1,840 bags of wheat belonging to the United Nations World Food Programme (UNWFP).
The Police in a Press release by Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Force Public Relation Officer reiterated the force commitment to curb illegal activities at various ports and around the economic hubs of the country.
He held that the commitment is geared towards stimulating government’s agenda of quick economic recovery and development of Nigeria.
Adejobi added that Police also recovered about 1,238 bags of wheat in Port-Hacourt on the 6th of February 2024.
He said, “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 the assignment, alongside their accomplices, who were intercepted and apprehended by the operatives of the Nigeria Police attached to the Eastern Port.
“The operatives arrested 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.
“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”.
Adejobi noted that the Inspector General of Police, Kayode 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 causing hardships for Nigerians are dealt with in line with extant laws.