Dispatch Rider Arrested for Stealing Medical Equipment Worth Over ₦34 Million

Dispatch Rider Arrested for Stealing Medical Equipment Worth Over ₦34 Million

Lagos, Nigeria – May 20, 2025 – The Zone 2 Command of the Nigeria Police Force has arrested a dispatch rider, Matthew Owochotie Adoche, for allegedly absconding with medical equipment valued at ₦34.4 million.

According to police reports, the suspect was contracted by Dr. Ajefolakemi John of Iloromu Quarters, Ile-Ife, Osun State, to deliver critical medical equipment from various locations in Lagos—including Ikotun and Ikeja—to Idumota, for onward transportation to a client in Zamfara State.

However, Adoche reportedly disappeared with the entire consignment. All attempts to reach him failed, prompting the complainant to lodge a report with the Zone 2 Police Command.

Following the directive of the Assistant Inspector General of Police, detectives from the Zonal Anti-Crime Unit launched a discreet investigation. Their efforts led to the discovery of the suspect’s hideout in Ugbokpo Community, Adoka, Benue State, where he was arrested.

Upon interrogation, Adoche confessed to selling one of the items—a Mindray DP 10 Laptop Ultrasound machine valued at ₦3.4 million—for just ₦1 million to a buyer identified as Chukwudi Eyinaya in Mushin, Lagos. The rest of the medical equipment, he admitted, was hidden with his sister in Ihiala, Anambra State.

Police recovered the following items during the operation:

• Mindray SV 300 Laptop Ventilator (1 unit)
• Mindray 3-Part Hematology Analyzer (1 unit)
• Mindray Patient Monitors (2 units)
• Patient Monitor Trolleys (2 units)
• Zoncare 12-Lead ECG Machine (1 unit)
• Mindray DP 10 Laptop Ultrasound (1 unit – sold)

The suspect is currently in custody, and police say investigations are ongoing. He will be charged to court upon conclusion of the investigation.

– CSP Ayuba T. Umma, anipr
Zonal Police Public Relations Officer,
Zone 2 Command Headquarters, Onikan, Lagos