The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Akwa Ibom State caught five people for damaging power lines, including high tension cables.
Mr. Bashar Hussaini, the head of NSCDC in the state, told news reporters about this at their office in Uyo on Wednesday.
He said they caught the suspects early in the morning on September 22, 2024, at about 2:30 am in Ikot Obio Ekpong village, Mkpat Enin Local Government Area.
“The local community helped us catch the suspects while they were cutting high tension cables between Ikot Obio Ekpong and Ikot Ekong villages,” Hussaini said.
The suspects also damaged power lines in Atanuk, a nearby village.
Those arrested are Uchenna Uguru, who bought the stolen cables; Emmanuel Sampson, Victor Sampson, and Kingsley Umoren, who cut the cables; and Joseph Emmanuel, the bike man who drove them.
The suspects admitted to their actions. They said they watched to see when the electricity was off, used ladders to climb, and cut the cables in the early hours.
Mr. Hussaini showed what they found with the suspects: three bundles of high tension cables and a motorcycle used for the crime.
He was sad about how many people are damaging public infrastructures, especially power lines, in the state.
Mr. Hussaini promised that the Command is working hard to stop this problem and make Akwa Ibom unsafe for vandals and criminals.
He said they will keep using community and intelligence strategies for security, as they are working well.
Mr. Hussaini asked everyone, including community leaders, youths, and residents, to help by sharing information about crimes quickly for prompt action.
He also said they will take the five suspects to court once they finish their investigation.