By Terna Chikpa, Jalingo
The Shagogo community of Donga Local Government Area in Taraba State has called on the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to help recover 900 bags of cement ordered from Dangote Cement Gboko, or the sum of N6.140m.
The community also accused the Taraba state police command of aiding an acclaimed cement dealer to defraud them of the said amount.
Chief Terngu Agere, the kindred head of the area told journalists in Jalingo on Sunday stated that the community had on January 14, 2025, ordered for a Truck of Cement containing 900 bags from Dongote Cement Gboko at the rate of N8000 per bag.
According to him, the cement was procured for a church project in the community. However on arrival, the truck driver refused to handover the goods to the community, claiming that money for the commodity was paid to a wrong dealer.
Zaki Agere narrated that the matter was immediately reported to the police area command where the truck was intercepted and impounded.
“When the truck driver refused to handover the goods to us, we immediately reported the matter to the police area command where the truck was intercepted and impounded.
“We proceeded to obtain a court order at Area Court (1) in Donga to ensure that the truck remain in the police custody pending when all investigation are carried out. To our greatest surprise, the police decided to released the truck with the Cement without our knowledge.
“The transaction was properly done, via Bank transfer with a known cement marketer in Gboko Benue state. We wonder why the police have decided to release the truck when the case is still under investigation and a court order restraining the release of the vehicle.
“We call on the Inspector General of police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun to intervene in recovering either 900 bags of cement or N6140,000,” Zaki Agere, on behalf of the community cried out.
Meanwhile, Police Public Relations Officer, Taraba State Police command Usman Abdulahi, confirmed the development.
“Yes, we are aware of the matter, the CID is handling the case.
Although, they have gotten an order to release the truck to the owner but we will get the person behind the crime,” the PPRO confirmed.
