Operatives of the Niger State Police Command have arrested 12 suspected vandals who specialize in stealing government property, particularly electrical infrastructure.
According to the state’s Police Public Relations Officer, Wasiu Abiodun, the suspects were found in possession of about three rolls of aluminium conductors, covering approximately 80 kilometers.
They also confessed to breaking two concrete poles to extract and sell the iron rods inside.
Abiodun stated that the arrests followed increased cases of vandalism amid ongoing infrastructural upgrades in Minna and other parts of the state.
He noted that some individuals were taking advantage of these projects to steal government property.
The police crackdown on January 24 and 25 led to the arrest of three suspects in the Limawa area of Minna:
Shamsudeen Ibrahim (19)
Abba Shuaibu (24)
Faisal Aliyu (18)
The trio was caught with stolen streetlight cables, diggers, hammers, and cutters.
Other suspects arrested include:
Khalid Shehu (18) – Sabon-Gari, Minna
Ibrahim Lawal (21) – Sabon-Gari, Minna
Gambo Umar (18) – Tunga, Minna
Mohammed Lawal (24) – Hospital Road, Minna
Magaji Garba (31) – Kwangila, Minna (receiver of stolen items)
They were found with burnt electric armoured cables and are currently under investigation at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Minna.
Additionally, four more suspects were arrested on January 7 in Masuga village along the Rijau-Kontagora road:
Ibrahim Aliyu (32)
Kabiru Adamu (35)
Mohammed Alfa (23)
Basiru Hamidu (28) – receiver of stolen items
These suspects were caught with a large quantity of aluminium conductors and admitted to breaking concrete poles for iron rods.
The police have assured the public of continued efforts to curb vandalism and protect public infrastructure.
Investigations are ongoing, and the suspects will be prosecuted accordingly.