The Enugu State Police Command has announced the arrest of two male suspects in connection with the vandalisation of a transformer and solar-powered streetlights.
According to a statement released by the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, the suspects were apprehended in separate operations conducted by operatives serving in the New Haven Division.
The statement revealed that the vandalized transformer components and streetlights were recovered from the suspects. They have since been arraigned in court, with one suspect convicted and the other remanded in a Correctional Centre.
“On July 16, 2024, at approximately 8:50 p.m., operatives sighted Augustine Bajo James, aged 34, dismantling a power transformer inside the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TNC) substation office while on routine patrol along the Powerline area of New Haven.
“James attempted to escape but was promptly arrested. The vandalized parts of the transformer were recovered from him, and he confessed to the crime, admitting to committing similar acts of vandalism.
“James was arraigned in the Enugu North Magistrate Court for stealing on July 18, 2024, and remanded in the Correctional Custodial Centre.”
He added, “On July 15, 2024, at approximately 6 a.m., operatives arrested Addau Alihu, 28, of New Artisan, while he was vandalizing solar-powered streetlights along Nza Street, Independence Layout, Enugu. Two pieces of the already dismantled streetlights were recovered from Alihu upon his arrest.
“Alihu was arraigned in the Enugu Magistrate Court for stealing on July 17, 2024, convicted, and summarily sentenced to one month of community service.”
Meanwhile, the State Commissioner, Kanayo Uzuegbu, has reiterated the Command’s unwavering resolve to sustain the ongoing onslaught against vandals and other criminal elements in the State.
He called on residents to continue assisting the police with credible and actionable information required to make necessary police operations seamless and less cumbersome.
