The Nigeria Police says it has arrested 15 suspects connected with the vandalization of 132 KV transmission tower line along the Ahoada/Mbiama axis of the East-West Road in Rivers State and the Igbogene axis of Bayelsa State.
The Zonal Police Public Relations Officer, SP Gunn. Ewhoborwo Emomena disclosed this while parading some of the suspects before newsmen at the Zone 16 Head Quarters of the Nigeria Police Force in Yenagoa.
The Zonal Police Public Relations Officer 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.
Those arrested include 22-year old Christopher Onyeno from Imo State, 20-year old Chinyereugo Ikommduakulam also from Imo State, 37-year old Believe Ajudu from Rivers State, 30-year old Believe Chimela, 50-year old Usuman Odumanyuyah from Rivers State and 32-year old Newman Ejimadu from Rivers State.
Others are 36-year old Pentecost Godwin from Rivers State, 20-year old Ogbunike Morgan from Rivers State, 54-year old Julius Okpuhigwe from Rivers State and Abubakar Umaru (22) from Sokoto State.
Also in the list of those arrested are 26-year old Moses Stephen from Rivers State, 35-year old Emmanuel John from Kano State, 30-year old Kabiru Usman from Kano State, and Aminu Sanusi(20) also from Kano State.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, some of the items recovered from the suspects as exhibits include 35 mm floor core armoured cables, 70 mm floor core armoured cables, 50 mm SLPE cables, Electrical Pot Installer as well as wheel spanners.
Other items recovered from the suspects as exhibits are cutting blades, long botts, eleven KV poles, recline cables and bee copper.
SP. Ewhoborwo Emomena said while urging residents to protect public facilities in their vicinity, the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 16, AIG Paul Alifa Omata has reaffirmed his unwavering commitment in ensuring the safety and security of lives and properties in the Zone.
14 SUSPECTS ARRESTED FOR VANDALIZING 132KV TRANSMISSION TOWER LINE IN RIVERS AND BAYELSA STATES
Following a petition by the Honorable Commissioner of Power, Hon. Engr. Kharin Akari Komuko, on behalf of the Bayelsa State Government, to the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Zone 16 Headquarters, Yenagoa, operatives of the Surveillance and Intelligence Section under the Zonal Criminal Investigation Department, have successfully arrested 14 suspects involved in the vandalization of the 132KV transmission tower line along the Ahoada-Mbiama axis of the East-West Road and Igbogene axis in Rivers and Bayelsa States.
The arrest was made on September 11, 2024, following credible intelligence that led to the capture of the suspects in Rivers State. The individuals arrested are as follows:
1. Christopher Chinmelam Onyeno (m), 22 years, Imo State
2. Chinyereugo Ukommaduakolam (m), 20 years, Imo State
3. Believe Ajudu (m), 31 years, Rivers State
4. Believe Chimela (m), 30 years
5. Usuman Albert Odumanyuyah (m), 50 years, Rivers State
6. Newman Ejimadu (m), 32 years, Rivers State
7. Pentecost Godwin (m), 36 years, Rivers State
8. Ogbunike Morgan (m), 20 years, Rivers State
9. Juluis Okpuhigwe (m), 54 years, Rivers State
10. Abubakar Umaru (m), 22 years, Sokoto State
11. Moses Stephen (m), 26 years, Rivers State
12. Emmanuel John (m), 35 years, Kano State
13. Kabiru Usman (m), 30 years, Kano State
14. Aminu Sanusi (m), 20 years, Kano State
During the investigation, several exhibits were recovered, including:
35mm armored cables
70mm armored cables
50mm SLPE cables
Electrical pot insulators
Wheel spanners
Cutting blades
Long boots
Eleven KV poles
Recline cables
Earth cables
Bee copper
These suspects had been on the wanted list of the Zone for several months due to their involvement in the destruction of critical power infrastructure, which has caused major disruptions in power supply within the region.
The AIG in charge of Zone 16, AIG Paul Alifa Omata, has reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring the safety and security of lives and property within the Zone. He called on residents to take proactive steps to protect their communities and support law enforcement efforts.
The Nigeria Police Force, under the leadership of Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, PhD, NPM, remains dedicated to securing all citizens and has urged the public to cooperate with authorities to maintain a crime-free society.
Sp. Gunn. Ewhoborwo Emonena
Zonal Police Public Relations Officer
For: The Assistant Inspector General of Police
Zone 16 Headquarters, Yenagoa
