Akwa Ibom Police Recover Stolen Truck, Arrest Two in Interstate Vehicle Theft Syndicate

July 10 () — Akwa Ibom State Police Command has recovered a stolen mini truck and arrested two suspects in connection with an interstate vehicle theft operation, uncovering how a factory employee allegedly stole his employer’s vehicle in Delta State and sold it in Akwa Ibom after disposing of its cargo.

The breakthrough followed a swift intelligence-led operation that led to the arrest of 27-year-old Isaac Akpan of Akwebom Village in Obot Akara Local Government Area.

According to the police, the suspect confessed to stealing a white Daihatsu Hijet mini truck loaded with bags of sachet water from the pure water factory where he worked in Agbor South, Delta State.

Police said Akpan admitted selling the entire consignment of sachet water, using part of the proceeds to buy fuel before driving the stolen vehicle to Akwa Ibom, where he allegedly sold it to another buyer.

The investigation subsequently led operatives to 45-year-old Aloysius Aniekan of Agric Road, Ikot Ekpene, who was found in possession of the stolen vehicle.

Detectives alleged that the suspect had re-registered the truck with a new registration number in an attempt to conceal its identity. He was arrested for allegedly receiving stolen property.

The stolen white Daihatsu Hijet mini truck has since been recovered and taken into police custody as an exhibit.

Commending the operatives for the successful operation, the Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, praised their professionalism and reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to intelligence-driven policing and the protection of lives and property across the state.

Police spokesperson, DSP Timfon John, said investigations were ongoing to identify and apprehend other persons linked to the crime, assuring that all those found culpable would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

The Command also urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies, stressing that community collaboration remains critical to combating crime and improving public safety.