Truck Driver, Muhammed Bello Arrested For Stealing Spare Parts

A truck driver, Muhammed Bello, has been arrested by operatives of the Zone 2 Command in Lagos for allegedly diverting and stealing N293 million worth of Caterpillar spare parts entrusted to him for delivery to a customer in northern Nigeria. The suspect was charged at the Igbosere Magistrates’ Court.

According to the police, Bello was hired by a complainant in Apapa to transport the goods, but instead of delivering the items as agreed, he allegedly sold the spare parts. When the complainant reached out to Bello for confirmation of the delivery, he falsely claimed that his truck had been hijacked by armed robbers, and the goods had been stolen.

After a thorough investigation, police found that the robbery story was fabricated. Following this revelation, the complainant filed a petition with the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Adegoke Fayoade, who ordered a special team to track down the suspect. Bello was eventually apprehended at a hideout in Lagos after the police employed intelligence gathering and surveillance techniques.

The suspect was charged with conspiracy and theft before the Igbosere Magistrates’ Court, where prosecution counsel, ASP Francis Igbinosa, stated that the theft took place on April 20, 2024, at 16/18 Ado Avenue, Apapa. The charges contravene Sections 411 and 287(5)(a)(b) of the Lagos State Criminal Law, 2015.

Bello pleaded not guilty to the charges, and Chief Magistrate Gbajumo Ayoku granted him bail in the sum of N2 million with two sureties in like sum. However, the suspect was remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Facility pending the fulfillment of his bail conditions.

Source:- Pmnewsnigeria