Niger State Police Arrest Three Suspected Electricity Cable Thieves

Three suspected electricity cable thieves have been arrested in Niger State at the hands of police and local vigilante groups. Mohammed Isah and Ishiaku Ali were caught vandalizing cables on June 10, while Ibrahim Aliyu was apprehended on June 12 after attempting to sell stolen cable from a campus generator. Investigations are underway, with the suspects facing prosecution.

The Niger State Police Command has successfully apprehended three individuals suspected of stealing electricity cables in different parts of Niger State. According to local police reports, these arrests were the result of coordinated efforts between police operatives and local vigilante groups.

The arrests occurred on June 10 around 11:50 p.m. in the Munya Local Government Area, where officers responded during a routine patrol. They caught two suspects, named Mohammed Isah, aged 25, and Ishiaku Ali, aged 30, both from Kwagana village near the Beni area of Sarkin-Pawa. The suspects were reportedly vandalizing over 100 meters of electric cables using a white Lexus vehicle, registration number RKD 84 AU.

Wasiu Abiodun, the spokesman for the Niger State Police Command, stated that the police had also recovered a cable cutter from the scene. The suspects reportedly confessed to planning to sell the stolen cables to a buyer in Abuja. They have since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Minna for further investigation and potential prosecution.

In a related incident, police reported the arrest of Ibrahim Aliyu, aged 24, from the Angwan-Kanawa area of Bosso. This took place on June 12 when security personnel at the Federal University of Technology (FUT) Bosso campus discovered he had broken onto the premises. The suspect damaged property and cut approximately 16 meters of armored cable valued at around N2 million.

Aliyu was reportedly taken into custody as he attempted to sell the stolen cables at Angwan-Masa Bosso. Witnesses and local vigilante members apprehended him with the stolen items. During questioning, Aliyu admitted to acting alone and explained how he concealed the cable’s rubber parts in a sack before leaving the site. Abiodun confirmed that investigations are ongoing and that Aliyu would face charges in court shortly.

These incidents highlight ongoing challenges with theft of critical infrastructure in the region. Police officials stress the importance of community vigilance and cooperation in combating such crimes effectively. The Niger State Police Command continues to emphasize its commitment to reducing vandalism and protecting vital services in the area.

The recent arrests in Niger State showcase the cooperative efforts between police and community members in tackling electricity cable theft. With three suspects now in custody, authorities are actively investigating their activities as part of a broader strategy to safeguard critical infrastructure. The trend of vandalism is concerning, yet local engagements are proving pivotal in addressing these crimes. The ongoing investigations aim to hold these individuals accountable and deter future thefts.

Original Source: punchng.com