News

June 22, 2009

Two policemen, others arrested over vandalised N1.2bn housing estate

By Austin Ogwuda
ASABA—FOUR policemen posted to guard the first phase of the 81 units of N1.2b Asaba Housing Estate, including two electricians, are currently being interrogated in connection with the theft of some vital electrical cables at the estate.

Vanguard gathered that theft was carefully planned and executed but when it was noticed, the electricians were first picked up before the policemen guarding the estate were also picked up last week Friday.

Confirming the incident, the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Charles Muka, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), told our reporter in Asaba yesterday that “yes, State Criminal Investigation  Department (SCID) Asaba is investigating  that mater”.

He, however, added that “the policemen were not directly involved, except for negligence of duty as they were posted on duty there but we (police) are making effort to get the actual suspects”.

The estate, which had been completed and sold out to successful buyers since March last year, is yet to be occupied as buyers of the three-bedroom bungalows have been denied access to the property.

As a result of the development, there have been avalanche of petitions from the buyers complaining about the non occupation of the property long after acquiring them after payment.

The housing project located on the outskirts of Asaba, near the Benin-Asaba highway, is jointly handled by the Federal Government who are promoters and the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (sponsor).