Niger Police Arrest Three Suspected Electricity Cable Thieves
The Niger State Police have arrested three suspected electricity cable thieves in May. Two suspects were found vandalizing cables while a third was caught trying to sell stolen cables. Investigations continue as authorities work to prosecute the suspects.
In a recent crackdown, the Niger State Police Command has detained three individuals suspected of stealing electricity cables in separate incidents across the state. The arrests, made by a vigilante group alongside police operatives in the Munya Local Government Area, occurred late at night on June 10.
Wasiu Abiodun, the public relations officer for the Niger State Police, announced the arrests in a statement this past Thursday. He identified the suspects as 25-year-old Mohammed Isah and 30-year-old Ishiaku Ali, both hailing from Kwagana village in the Beni area of Sarkin-Pawa, as well as 24-year-old Ibrahim Aliyu from Angwan-Kanawa in Bosso.
“On June 10, 2025, at approximately 11:50 PM, the police executed a routine patrol along Beni/Sarkin-Pawa Road,” Abiodun detailed. “They apprehended Isah and Ali after discovering them vandalizing more than 100 meters of electric cables, using a white Lexus vehicle with the registration number RKD 84 AU.”
Abiodun further explained that police recovered a cable cutter at the scene. The suspects admitted that they intended to sell the stolen cables in Abuja. They have since been transferred to the SCID (State Criminal Investigation Department) in Minna, where the investigation is ongoing.
In a related incident, the security team at the Federal University of Technology (FUT) Bosso captured Ibrahim Aliyu on June 12. This arrest came after reports indicated that Aliyu had trespassed onto university grounds, damaged a generator room door, and severed around 16 meters of armoured cable valued at approximately N2 million.
Security personnel detained Aliyu after witnessing his attempt to sell the stolen cables in Angwan-Masa Bosso. According to Abiodun, during questioning, Aliyu confessed to acting alone, removing the armoured rubber insulation from the cable, and hiding it in a sack for transport.
“An investigation is ongoing, and he will soon be charged in court for prosecution,” Abiodun stated, indicating that authorities are committed to addressing this significant act against critical infrastructure.
The Niger State Police Command has demonstrated proactive measures in combating theft of electricity infrastructure, apprehending three suspects involved in separate vandalism incidents. The ongoing investigations highlight the authorities’ commitment to tackling these crimes and ensuring safety in public utilities. Continued monitoring and community vigilance appear crucial in preventing such occurrences in the future.
Original Source: punchng.com
