An unidentified Police Inspector was on Thursday arrested at a hotel in Ewet Housing Estate, Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, for helping thugs in painting fake police patrol vehicles for use by politicians ahead of Saturday’s presidential and national assembly elections, Igberetvnews reports.
Igberetvnews gathered that two of the vehicles (Volvo V70) were brand new and one of the types procured by the Akwa Ibom government for the Nigeria Police Force.
A source , who was privy to the development, disclosed that the Police intercepted the thugs and the policeman at the hotel while they were branding the vehicles .
He said , “There was information that some men suspected to be political thugs working for a political party were branding the type of Volvo V 70 which the state government donated to the Police .
“ The rebranding was being done ahead of Saturday’ s elections .
“ The vehicles already had the siren installed and the Police inscription also on it , as well as the identification numbers .
“ When the Police got to the hotel, the suspects had already relocated one of the vehicles , while the second vehicle was being branded with the assistance of the Police Inspector.
“ He (the Inspector) was taken to the Police station and the vehicle was recovered .
“ The Police suspect was taken to the station for investigation and he has made useful statements.
“ He mentioned some persons who engaged him in the services he was rendering .
“ Investigation is ongoing . The Inspector is serving in one of the intelligence departments in the Akwa Ibom State Police Command . ”
When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer , Mr . Odiko MacDon , said he had yet to be briefed on the development.
He , however , added that if the development was true, the law would take its course .
“ I have not yet got briefing on that , but if it is true, the law will take its course , ” he stated.
