By Deborah Akpede
The principal suspect in alleged theft of N1.02 billion Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) theft from a Lagos company, MEA Energy has been arrested in Delta State, with over N300 million in assets linked to the crime recovered from him.
Lagos Police Commissioner, Mr Fatai Tijani, disclosed this on Tuesday to journalists at the command headquarters in Ikeja.
According to Tijani, the arrest of the suspect followed a petition by MEA Energy over an alleged case of conspiracy and stealing involving PMS valued at N1.02 billion allegedly perpetrated by two suspects.
The Police Commissioner said the suspect was arrested after 12 days of tracking in Delta state where he had escaped to after alleged involvement in the theft.
“Upon receipt of the complaint, operatives of the command commenced discreet investigation supported by technical intelligence gathering and surveillance operations.
“After 12 days of intensive tracking and follow-up operations, one of the principal suspects aged 38, was apprehended in Delta, where he had fled in an attempt to evade justice.
“The suspect was successfully tracked and apprehended through coordinated inter-state policing efforts by operatives of the command, ” he said.
The commissioner further disclosed that during interrogation, the suspect confessed to his involvement in the crime.
He added that the suspect subsequently led investigators to the recovery of cash and property valued at over N300 million, which was the proceeds of the illegal diversion of petroleum products.
According to the commissioner, efforts are ongoing to arrest the second suspect who is at large.
The police boss said that the suspect will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.
(NAN)
