The Nigeria Police Force has arrested 14 vandals suspected of having vandalised the power tower line of the Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN in Rivers and Bayelsa state.
Investigations revealed that the arrest followed a petition by the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Power, Engr Kharin Akari Komuko .
Operatives of the Surveillance and Intelligence section under the Zonal Criminal Investigation to go after the vandals following a credible intelligence report.
The Zonal Police Public Relations Officer, Sp Gunn Ewhoborwo Emonena who paraded the suspects at the Zone 16 headquarters, Yenagoa listed the names of those arrested to include Christopher Chinmelam Onyeno aged 22 from Imo state; Chinyereugo Ukommaduakolam aged 20 from Imo state; Believe Ajudu aged 31, Belive Chimela aged 30; Albert Odumanyuyah aged 50, Newman Ejimadu aged 32, Pentecost Godwin aged 36, Ogbukike Morgan aged 20, Julius Okpuhigwe aged 54, Emmanuel John aged 35 and Moses Stephen aged 26, all from Rivers State.
Others are Abubakar Umaru aged 22 from Sokoto state, Kabiru Usman aged, and Aminu Sanusi aged 20 both from Kano State.
According to Emonena the suspects were involved in the vandalisation of the 132 KV Transmission Tower Line along the Ahoada/ Mbiama axis of the East/ West Road and Igbogene in Rivers and Bayelsa state respectively.
He disclosed that items recovered from the suspects include 35mm floor core Armoured Cables, 70 mm floor core armoured cables, 50 mm SLPE cables, electrical pot installation, Wheel spanners, cutting blades, long boots, 11 KV poles, recline cables, earth cables, and bee copper.
Emonena stated that the Assistant Inspector-General of Police Paul Alifa Omata has urged residents to take all necessary steps to protect the properties within their vicinity while also reaffirming his unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety and security of lives and property within the zone.
“The Nigeria Police Force under the astute leadership of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egebtokun has reasserted his dedication in ensuring the safety and security of all citizens, ‘he added.
