From Tony John, Port Harcourt
Rivers State Police Command has recovered N60.2 million allegedly stolen by a bullion van driver in Port Harcourt.
Deputy Commissioner of Police in-charge of Administration, Uche Anozia, disclosed this to journalists yesterday, at the command’s headquarters, Moscow Road.
Anozia disclosed that on Monday, he received “useful information” about a Ford Explorer vehicle parked in the premises of a popular supermarket, in GRA. He said the vehicle loaded with bags aroused the suspicion of the police.
He said a senior police officer was dispatched to the supermarket and investigation revealed that the bags had the seal of a new generation bank and contained cash.
He said the Command had on Friday, July 8, 2016, received a report by one Stanley Ndubuisi, of Bankers’ Warehouse, that engages in bullion van services, about the disappearance of a driver and vehicle loaded with cash.
Anozia noted that the bullion van was rented from Bankers’ Warehouse by Zenith and Stanbic Banks.
“The bullion van was to go to Aba to the branches of these banks to convey cash from Aba to Port Harcourt, on behalf of the banks The bullion van was manned by a driver. While on his way from Aba, the bullion van after collecting the cash, was accompanied by soldiers according to the complainant.
“The bullion van arrived Port Harcourt, and went to Zenith Bank and delivered the bank’s portion. “According to the complainant, at that point, the soldiers left.
“Now, it remained the money for Stanbic Bank and the driver alone. Consequently, the driver absconded with the vehicle and money”, Anozia explained.
He said no arrest has been made and both the driver as well as the complainant were at large, adding that investigations were ongoing to track down the persons behind the theft.
The cash, which was displayed before newsmen, had bundles of N500, N200 and N100 denominations.