A shocking case of public asset misappropriation has come to light as Akwa Ibom State police recovered four state-owned firefighting trucks that had been secretly leased to multinational companies in neighboring Rivers State. Police Commissioner Baba Azare revealed yesterday in Uyo that the equipment had been illegally rented out since 2021 at N140,000 per truck per day by suspected Fire Service staff.
The elaborate scheme, which netted the conspirators millions of naira, was uncovered following a tip-off from what authorities described as a “Good Samaritan.” According to Commissioner Azare, the illicit arrangement saw profits split between a company liaison receiving N80,000 and Fire Service officials pocketing N60,000 per truck daily.
Four suspects have been arrested in connection with the case, though police indicate that additional conspirators remain at large. The scheme was set to run until 2024, but law enforcement intervention brought it to an early end, with the trucks now recovered and slated for return to government service.
This scandal highlights broader concerns about the mismanagement of public assets and corruption within state institutions. The diversion of critical emergency response equipment raises serious questions about public safety, as these trucks were meant to serve Akwa Ibom communities rather than generate private profit in a neighboring state.
The police commissioner also detailed other recent successes in tackling property crimes across the state. In a separate case, authorities arrested suspects Prosper Jim and Uduak Benson for vandalizing a transformer at Sure Foundation Polytechnic in Ikot Atai, Ukanafun Local Government Area. The suspects allegedly drained N800,000 worth of transformer oil and stole armored cables valued at N3.5 million.
In an unrelated but equally disturbing case, the command arrested six individuals in connection with the repeated sexual assault of a 13-year-old child over a three-year period. The suspects, ranging in age from 23 to 34 years old, were identified as Okwudili Okeke (also known as Eze), Idara Daniel, David James, Udofia Udosen, David Bassey, and Daniel Edet.
The fire truck scandal is particularly significant as it involves the systematic misuse of emergency response equipment that could have compromised public safety in Akwa Ibom State. The investigation revealed a sophisticated operation that had managed to operate undetected for nearly three years, raising concerns about oversight and accountability within state institutions.
Commissioner Azare emphasized that all suspects in these cases will face prosecution once investigations are complete. The recovery of the fire trucks represents a significant success in efforts to combat corruption and misuse of public resources, though questions remain about how such a scheme could have operated for so long without detection.
The case has sparked discussions about the need for improved monitoring and control systems for state-owned assets, particularly essential emergency response equipment. As the investigation continues, authorities are working to identify any additional participants in the scheme while ensuring the returned trucks are properly reintegrated into the state’s emergency response system.
