Akure: The Ondo State Police Command has arrested six suspects for allegedly stealing 189 bags of dried cocoa beans worth ₦141.7 million.
The stolen cocoa beans belonged to Agro Trader Ltd. in the state.
This was contained in a statement by DSP Olushola Ayanlade, the command’s spokesperson, on Monday in Akure.
Ayanlade, who said the suspects were members of staff of Agro Trader Ltd., explained that the gang allegedly conspired and stole the items from the company’s warehouse.
The police spokesperson explained that two of the suspects were the company’s chief security officers.
He said the alleged act not only violated the trust reposed in them but also threatened the economic stability of the establishment.
According to him, the alleged betrayal by personnel assigned to protect the warehouse highlighted the depth of internal compromise within the company.
“One of the principal suspects fled from Ondo state and moved through Osun, Oyo, and Abia in a calculated attempt to avoid apprehension.
” However, leveraging modern technological tools, operatives—acting on intelligence generated through this advanced technological capability—pinpointed his hideout in Ijebu-Ode, where the CP Monitoring Unit successfully arrested him.
“Upon interrogation, he confessed to conspiring with others to deprive the company he was employed to protect its goods,” he said.
Ayanlade said that efforts were ongoing to locate and arrest the remaining accomplices while consolidating evidence for prosecution.
He said the significant breakthrough is the command’s unwavering commitment to protecting lives, property, and the economic interests of law-abiding residents across the state.
He, therefore, assured the general public and the business community that all suspects would be diligently prosecuted upon the conclusion of investigations.
“The command reiterates its unwavering stance that any individual who commits a crime within the state—regardless of the distance to which they may flee—will be arrested and brought to justice.