The Zone 16 Police Command has arrested 14 suspects over the alleged vandalisation of 132KV transmission towers in Bayelsa and neighbouring Rivers states.
The Zonal Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Emonena Gunn, on Monday said their arrest was sequel to a petition to the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 16 by the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Power, Kharin Komuko.
Gunn said acting upon the petition operatives of the Surveillance and Intelligence Section under the Criminal Investigation Department swung into action on September 11, 2024, and arrested the 14 suspects.
The suspects are Christopher Chimelam Onyeno, male, 22 and Chinyereugo Ukommaduakolam, male, 29 both from Imo State, and Believe Ajudu, male, 37, Believe Chimela, male, 30, and Usman Albert Odumanyuyah, male, 50, all from Rivers State.
Others are Newman Ejimadu, male, 32; Pentecost Godwin, male, 36; Ogbunike Morgan, male, 20; Julius Okpuhigwe, male, 54; and Moses Stephen, male, 26, all from Rivers State, Abubakar Umaru, male, 26 from Sokoto State and Emmanuel John, male, 35; Kabiru Usman, male, 30; and Aminu Sanusi, male, 20; all from Kano State.
According to the police boss, they were all involved in the vandalisation of (the)132 KV Transmission Tower Line along the Ahoada-Mbiama axis of the East-West Road and Igbogene axis in Rivers State and Bayelsa State respectively.”
Gunn said, “The suspects who have been on the wanted list of the zone for the past few months, were arrested based on credible intelligence in Rivers State.
“During the “course of the diligent and painstaking investigation, 35 mm floor core armoured cables, 70 mm floor core armoured cables, 50 mm SLPE cables, electrical pot installation, wheel spanners, cutting blades, long botts, 11 KV poles, recline cables, earth cables, bee copper and other items were recovered as exhibits.”
The AIG Zone 16, Paul Alifa Omata, reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to ensure the safety and security of lives and property within the zone and urged residents to take all necessary steps to protect the properties within their vicinity.
Omata said the Nigeria Police Force under the leadership of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetukon, has reasserted its dedication to ensuring the safety and security of all citizens, urging residents to offer the police maximum cooperation and support in order to have a crime-free society.
It would be recalled that 13 power transmission towers in Rivers and Bayelsa states were vandalised two months ago resulting in a lingering power outage in Bayelsa State.
