A personnel of the Nigerian Navy, Usman Shaibu, has been arrested by the Delta State Police Command for allegedly stealing multi-billion naira properties belonging to a former Niger Delta militant leader, Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo.
Lance Corporal Usman Shaibu was arrested alongside two other suspects identified as Okugbe Lucky and Chime Chukwuka while allegedly moving some properties from Tompolo’s jetty near the Chevron Clinic in Edjeba community in the Warri South Local Government Area of the state.
The suspects were arrested on Sunday by a police team led by the Divisional Police Officer in-charge of ‘A’ Division Warri, Mr Kelvin Zuokumor, following a tip-off from members of the public over alleged illegal movement of items from the yard.
The transformer allegedly stolen are part of the properties seized by the Federal Government two years ago.
The younger brother of Ex-Niger Delta Freedom Fighter, Hon. George Ekpemupolo confirmed the report to newsmen in the state.
The former Warri South-West Council Chairman said, “They arrived at about 6:45pm. I was called by somebody at Chevron Clinic saying he saw people entering Tompolo’s yard and that I should come and confirm if we have sold the things in the yard. I immediately called the police and they were arrested already carrying the transformer.
“The Naval Personnel, Lance Corporal was arrested with the driver and conductor of the Self-loader. The Naval pleaded that we take the matter easy with him but I insisted he should be arrested and taken to the Police Station for questioning and prosecution.”
Upon interrogation at the Charge Room at the Police Station, Shaibu confessed to committing the crime, disclosing the names of his fleeing colleagues.
The state Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Mustafa, confirming the arrest of the naval personnel said the case was being investigated at the moment.
“He (Shaibu) took a pay loader to the premises to steal the property. He has confessed to the crime. He was the one that organised everything which he also admitted.
“He is currently in police custody. He was found with the vehicle and everything. It is a complete crime”, CP Mustafa added.
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