Two ex-convicts alongside others have been apprehended by the Bauchi State Police Command for vandalizing eleven electricity transformers in Azare Katagum Local Government Area of the state.
A spokesperson of the command, in a statement on Friday, January 27, 2023, said the suspects were arrested at Kari-Sade Road while suspiciously approaching a nearby electricity transformer.
“On the 17th January 2023 at about 0130hrs, a joint team of mobile police operatives in collaboration with local hunters based in Azare town, while on visibility patrol along Kari-Sade Road, arrested the following suspects; Adamu Ahmed, 30, Usman Mohammed, 28, Sulaiman Muhammed,35, and Umar Abdullahi,35, all of Matsango ward of Katagum LGA Bauchi state,” the statement read.
“The suspects were apprehended alongside a white-colored Opel Vectra vehicle with registration number BWR 55PZ parked by the roadside, loaded with twelve (12) empty Jerry Cans and assorted spanners.
“During interrogation, the suspects revealed that they were in the vicinity of the transformer to steal the transformer oil, they said that they were introduced into the business by one Ibrahim Adamu alias Wada about four months ago.
“The suspects further added that they have vandalized various electricity transformers situated at different locations which include; Makara Huta electricity transformer, State low-cost electricity transformer, Abdullahi Babani house electricity transformer, Sa’a filling station electricity transformer along Misau road all within Azare town, and Uzum tsohuwa village electricity transformer, Kafin Hausa village electricity transformer both along Azare-Giade Road.
“The vandals also extended their criminal activities to Disina town electricity transformer Shira LGA, Government Technical College Jama’are electricity transformer Jama’are LGA, Chibiyayi village electricity transformer at Sakwa road Zaki LGA, and Garin Babani village electricity transformer Dambam LGA.
“The suspects confessed to have scooped 6-8 Jerry Cans with 25 litres capacity and sell at the rate of twelve (12) thousand naira to the said Ibrahim Babani alias Wada, who is said to introduce them to the business.
“During the investigation, two of the suspects were previously convicted of stealing. As they show no remorse for committing a heinous crime,”
While commending the operatives for the job well done, the Commissioner of Police CP Aminu Alhassan directed that the suspect be charged to court on completion of the investigation.