Cement Deal Gone Wrong
Residents of Shagogo community in Donga Local Government Area of Taraba State are up in arms over an alleged fraud involving N6.14 million meant for a consignment of cement. Community leaders have accused the state police command of complicity in the scandal, claiming that officers released a detained truck and its cargo despite a court order preventing such action.
The Deal and the Dispute
The trouble began on January 14, 2025, when the Shagogo community ordered 900 bags of cement at N8,000 per bag for church construction projects. However, upon the truck’s arrival in Donga, the driver refused to release the cement, claiming that payment had been made to the wrong dealer.
The community reported the matter to the police, leading to the interception and detention of the truck. To ensure the cargo remained secure, the leaders obtained a court order from the Area 1 Court in Donga, barring the release of the vehicle and its contents until the case was resolved.
Police Allegedly Overrule Court Order
Despite the legal measures, the community claims the police unilaterally released the truck and the cement without consulting them. Zaki Terngu Agere, the kindred head of Shagogo, expressed shock and frustration over the police’s actions.
“The transaction was conducted with a known cement marketer in Gboko, Benue State, but upon the truck’s arrival in Donga, the dealer who received N6.14 million via bank transfer switched off all his phone lines,” Agere told journalists in Jalingo on Sunday.
He added that the police’s decision to release the truck, despite the court order pasted on the vehicle, has caused unrest in the community since January. Agere called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and other security agencies to intervene and help recover either the cement or the community’s money.
Police Respond
When contacted, Taraba State Police Public Relations Officer, Usman Abdullahi, confirmed that the matter was reported to the police and later transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further investigation.
“The CID obtained an order to release the vehicle to its owner, but we assure the community that we will track down the suspect behind the fraud,” Abdullahi stated.
Community Demands Justice
The Shagogo community, however, remains unconvinced. They argue that the police’s actions have undermined their trust in law enforcement and demand accountability. The funds, they say, were painstakingly gathered through the collective efforts of community members, and they will not rest until justice is served.
What’s Next?
As the investigation continues, the case highlights the challenges communities face in dealing with fraud and the need for transparency and accountability in law enforcement. For now, the people of Shagogo are left waiting for answers and hoping for the recovery of their hard-earned money.
