The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has successfully recovered four fire service trucks that were stolen and illicitly leased out to multinational companies in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, in a scheme dating back to 2021.

The command likewise promised to ensure full compliance with its provisions with respect to the state’s law on grazing and vowed not to fold its arms and allow miscreants to unleash terror on law-abiding citizens.

The command maintained that anyone arrested in connection with these crimes would be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

The recoveries were announced by the newly appointed Commissioner of Police, Baba Mohammed Azare, during his maiden press briefing in Uyo on Monday.

CP Azare disclosed that the trucks had been leased at a rate of ₦140,000 per day per truck, with ₦80,000 allocated to the link company and ₦60,000 shared among complicit officials of the fire service.

The arrangement, which was supposed to terminate in 2024, continued illegally until police intervention. The suspects behind the scheme have been arrested and are set to face prosecution.

“The trucks will be handed over to the state government to resume serving the good people of Akwa Ibom while investigations continue to apprehend others still at large,” the Commissioner stated.

Following a recent complaint by Governor Umo Eno over the vandalisation of public infrastructure, the police command said it has also arrested two suspects, Prosper Brownson Jim and Uduak Sunday Benson, for vandalising a transformer at Sure Foundation Polytechnic in Ukanafun LGA.

Stolen items worth over ₦4 million, including transformer oil and armoured cables, were recovered, alongside charms believed to have been used during the operation.

“Transformer oil valued at about ₦800,000.00 (eight hundred thousand naira) was drained, and armoured cables valued at about ₦3.5 million (three million five hundred thousand naira) were stolen. The command recovered the transformer, armoured cable, and items suspected to be juju from the suspects. The case will soon be charged to court,” the CP said.

CP Azare also reported the arrest of six suspects over the repeated sexual assault of a 13-year-old boy over three years. The Commissioner described the crime as a “heinous act against humanity” and promised diligent prosecution.

The command paraded several others arrested for kidnapping, cultism, unlawful possession of firearms, fraud, and impersonation, and reiterated its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of Akwa Ibom residents.

“Please help me to reecho to the criminals that Akwa Ibom State will no longer be their safe haven. We will continue to pursue them until they toe the path of honour,” CP Azare assured.