The Nigeria Police Force, Eastern Ports Command, has recovered 1,238 bags of wheat and arrested five suspects involved in the diversion of 1,840 bags belonging to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP). The stolen wheat, taken from the Ibeto Port Terminal in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, was intercepted while being transported to an undisclosed location in Kano State.
Details of the Crime
During a press briefing on Thursday, Commissioner of Police, Eastern Ports Command, Jimoh Moshood, disclosed that the case involved a conspiracy to divert the wheat. The stolen goods were originally intended for delivery in Kano State but were illegally redirected by the suspects. Two trucks carrying the wheat were intercepted, resulting in the recovery of 1,238 bags.
“The case involves conspiracy, stealing, and the diversion of 1,840 bags of wheat belonging to the United Nations World Food Programme, Nigeria, from Ibeto Port Terminal, Port Harcourt, to Kano State in two trucks,” Moshood said.
He added that a trailer and a bus used in the commission of the crime were confiscated, while the recovered bags of wheat have been returned to the WFP.
Ongoing Investigation
Efforts are ongoing to apprehend additional suspects, including two drivers implicated in the crime, and to recover the remaining 602 missing bags of wheat.
“Investigation revealed that 602 bags of wheat are still missing, and we are intensifying efforts to recover them. Five suspects have been arrested, and a trailer and a bus used in committing the crime are in our custody,” Moshood explained.
Broader Operations and Prosecutions
The Eastern Ports Command has also made strides in addressing other criminal activities within its jurisdiction. According to Moshood, 33 additional suspects have been arrested and prosecuted for various offenses across divisions in Onne, Rivers, Warri, and Calabar Ports.
“Apart from the five suspects mentioned earlier, the Command arrested, investigated, and prosecuted 33 suspects for various offenses across the four divisions of Onne, Rivers, Warri, and Calabar Ports. Most of them are currently in the custody of the Correctional Service, while their prosecution is ongoing,” he said.
Importance of the Recovery
The recovery of the stolen wheat underscores the importance of securing humanitarian aid intended for vulnerable populations. The swift actions of the Eastern Ports Command serve as a reminder of the critical need for vigilance in safeguarding resources meant for humanitarian purposes.
The ongoing investigation is expected to yield further arrests and the recovery of the remaining goods, ensuring justice is served and deterring future crimes of this nature.
