The Edo State Government has admitted that over 200 official vehicles are currently missing, with only a measly three found so far. The government’s Recovery Committee, headed by Kelly Okungbowa, has made it clear that it’s going to take more than a few good men to get the job done. At a press briefing on Friday in Benin, Okungbowa proudly announced that within just 24 hours of their inauguration, the committee managed to recover a Hilux van and two Toyota Hiace buses, one of which was shockingly discovered to contain palliative supplies, including 10kg and 25kg bags of garri and rice, intended for the good people of Edo State.
Okungbowa is practically begging the public to spill the beans. “We recovered three vehicles, thanks to tips from the public,” he said, conveniently leaving out the fact that it’s hard to ignore a crime when you’re still counting the vehicles you’ve lost. But no worries, he assured whistleblowers that they’d be handsomely rewarded for any verified leads. So, if you know where that government-issued Hilux is parked in someone’s backyard, now’s your chance to cash in.
In an impressive display of government transparency or perhaps just desperate damage control, Okungbowa insisted, “These vehicles belong to Edo citizens, not private individuals. It’s unacceptable for anyone to steal government property.” Yes, because somehow the government of Edo State just lost track of over 200 vehicles that were supposed to be parked in the first place. What could possibly go wrong? And if you happen to be one of the former government officials who’s sitting pretty in a stolen Toyota, don’t get too comfortable. Okungbowa is coming for you. He even issued a 48-hour ultimatum for the return of these stolen vehicles, which only raises more questions, How many of these vehicles are parked in the homes of former officials? And where does the state think these cars are hiding?
With reports of over 200 missing vehicles, it’s safe to say this recovery committee has a long road ahead. Okungbowa’s team is reportedly moving to other locations where government vehicles are suspected to be stashed, and so far, there’s been no resistance. Maybe people are just too stunned by the sheer audacity of the whole thing to fight back. Or maybe they’re just waiting for someone to pay up.
How many more vehicles are still out there? And how much longer will it take to return the rest of them? In the meantime, Edo State is left to wonder just how many government cars were parked in the wrong driveways in the first place.
