Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Operatives, Gombe State Command, have successfully recovered a suspected stolen refrigerated meat van.
The vehicle, identified as a “JAC” model with the chassis number LJ11KAA16k1312795, was originally assigned to the Butchers Association, Gombe State Branch, by the State Government through the Ministry of Agriculture.
According to NSCDC Gombe Command PRO, SC Buhari Sa’ad, the vehicle was provided to the State Government by the Federal Government for the hygienic distribution of meat in the State.
He further explained that the matter was referred to the NSCDC Gombe State Command by the State Government when it was discovered that the vehicle had been diverted and not used for its intended purpose.
Buhari Sa’ad revealed that the NSCDC took immediate action, and during the investigation, it was uncovered that the top leadership of the State Branch of the Association, along with some other members at the local government level, conspired, forged, and altered ownership and other vehicle documents. Subsequently, they sold the vehicle to a car dealer in Kano State for personal gain, fetching N4 million against its original value of N27 million.
The vehicle was later resold at a car stand in Kano to L & Z Integrated Farms Nigeria Limited, located at Fari Village, kilometer 14, Zaria Road, Kano, for the sum of N7 million.
Operatives of the NSCDC successfully traced and recovered the diverted vehicle, bringing it back safely and in good condition to the State. Investigations into the matter are still ongoing.
