By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu
In a shocking twist of trust betrayed, a dispatch rider, Matthew Owochotie Adoche, has been arrested by detectives of the Zone 2 Police Command in Lagos for allegedly absconding with medical equipment worth N34.4 million belonging to the Zamfara State Government.
The incident raises fresh concerns about the safety and accountability of medical logistics and public assets in Nigeria, especially as states battle to equip healthcare facilities amid economic challenges.
The arrest followed a petition from a medical doctor, Dr. Ajefolakemi John of Ile-Ife, Osun State, who told police that she engaged Adoche on April 15, 2025, to deliver critical medical equipment from Ikotun and Ikeja areas of Lagos to Idumota, where they were to be dispatched to Zamfara..
“After he picked up the items, all attempts to reach him failed. His phones were switched off, and he became unreachable,” Dr. John stated in her complaint to the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Zone 2, Adegoke Fayoade.
Acting on the report, AIG Fayoade deployed operatives from the Zonal Anti-Crime Unit to track the suspect. Following weeks of investigation, police traced Adoche to a hideout in Ugbokpo, Benue State, where he was arrested.
The police revealed that although most of the stolen items were recovered, a key piece of equipment—a Mindray DP 10 Laptop Ultrasound machine valued at N34.4 million—had already been sold.
“The suspect confessed to selling the ultrasound machine for just N1 million to one Chukwudi Eyinaya in the Mushin area of Lagos,” AIG Fayoade said.
He added that Adoche also confessed to stashing the remaining equipment with his sister in Ihiala, Anambra State, before fleeing to Benue.
Recovered items include:
Mindray SV 300 Laptop Ventilator
Mindray 3-part Hematology Analyzer
Two Mindray Patient Monitors
Two Patient Monitor Trolleys
Zoncare 12-lead ECG machine
The investigation is still ongoing, and authorities have vowed to arrest anyone linked to the resale or concealment of the stolen medical items.
“He will be charged to court as soon as we complete our investigation,” the AIG assured.