PHIL OKOSE , Onitsha
One person allegedly died and three others were arrested over the vandalization of high tension cables and transformer parts in Obosi, Idemili North Local Government area and Onitsha, the commercial hub centre of Anambra State.
Making this disclosure to newsmen in a press release, the state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Tochukwu Ikenga, (SP), said that, “The Anambra State Police Command has recorded significant breakthroughs in separate operations carried out at Onitsha and Obosi respectively in its sustained fight against acts of sabotage and vandalism of government infrastructure.”
According to him, “On the 21st of August 2025, operatives of the Command attached to the Rapid Response Squad Awkuzu, acting on credible intelligence, raided a vandal’s hideout along Atani Road, Onitsha.
“During the operation, three suspects were arrested. They include: Adamu Ali ‘M’, 25 years, Usman Sulaiman ‘M’, 22 years and Isah Abdullahi ‘M’, 26 years.
The Operatives also recovered from them Bags of high-tension cable wires, melted cable wires and Parts of transformer equipment.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects are part of a syndicate that specialises in vandalizing and selling power installations, with Lagos identified as their major sales outlet.
“In a separate incident earlier the same day, Security operatives reported at Isiowulu Police Station that their team, while on patrol along Ascension Anglican Church Road, accosted four young men carrying a black “Super Shopping” bag.
On sighting the security operatives, three of the suspects fled, while the fourth suspect, whose name and address are yet to be verified, was apprehended with the bag.
“A search conducted on the bag revealed the following items: Assorted colours of armoured cables cut-to-size, One big yellow iron cutter, One black iron cutter, One ash-coloured glass cutter, One black hand glove and one yellow hand glove, One black sling, One bag containing a yellow background long-sleeve shirt, A bunch of two keys and a pair of rubber slippers.
“The suspect was thereafter taken into custody. However, while being escorted to hand over to the Police along with the recovered items, he attempted to escape by jumping down from a storey building and in the process of re-arresting him, he sustained gunshot injuries.
Consequently, he was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was confirmed dead. His body has been deposited at the morgue for autopsy.
“All the recovered exhibits are now in custody and the weapon used by the vigilante has also been secured.
Meanwhile, a full-scale investigation into both incidents has commenced, including efforts to apprehend the fleeing accomplices and recover more of the stolen items.
“The Command reiterates its warning to criminal elements engaging in sabotage of public utilities that the Police will relentlessly fish them out.
The Command also urges Ndi Anambra to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities around government installations to the nearest Police Station for necessary action.
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