The Nigeria Police Force has announced the arrest of five suspects involved in the diversion and theft of goods, with the recovered items belonging to the United Nations World Food Programme (UNWFP). The police emphasized their commitment to enforcing laws and implementing anti-crime strategies to combat illegal activities at various ports and economic hubs in Nigeria.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Olumuyiwa Adejobi disclosed the arrests and recovery in a statement, underscoring the force’s dedication to supporting the government’s agenda for quick economic recovery and development.
The Eastern Port Police Command confirmed the arrest of the suspects connected to the diversion of 1,840 bags of wheat meant for transportation from Ibeto Port Terminal, Port-Harcourt, to an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Kano State. The fraudulently diverted bags were intercepted and recovered by police operatives on February 6, 2024.
The five suspects, identified as Umar Hashim, Edidiong Umoh, Udah Stanley, Abubakar Jariri, and Yunusa Babangida, were apprehended alongside the vehicles used in the crime—a truck and a bus. A total of 1,238 stolen bags of wheat were recovered and returned to the World Food Programme.
Efforts are underway to recover the remaining 602 bags of wheat and apprehend other suspects associated with the crime. The Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, reiterated the police’s commitment to dealing with individuals engaged in activities that sabotage the country’s economy and cause hardships for vulnerable members of the public. The suspects will be charged to court upon the completion of investigations and tying up all loose ends.
