Four Electric Cable Vandalism Expects Arrested (Photo)

,,,,The Anambra State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has apprehended a notorious syndicate of four individuals involved in the vandalization of armored cables and electrical infrastructure within and around the Awka metropolis.

The arrest, which took place on Friday, was made possible through actionable intelligence received from a vigilant citizen who observed the suspects in the act of removing armored cables from an electrical installation in Awka, as disclosed by Mr. Edwin Osuala during a press conference at the Command Headquarters.

Osuala detailed the incident, stating, “On the morning of Monday, November 4th, 2023, the command received a distress call reporting a group of individuals vandalizing armored cables behind Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka.

Acting swiftly, our operatives apprehended the following four suspects in possession of bundles of vandalized armored electric cable.”

,,,,,The arrested suspects are identified as Monday Chukwu (37) from Ntezi, Ebonyi State; Okwudiri Nnaji (29) from Idodo, Nkanu East, Enugu State; Agu Ikechukwu (20) from Ehamufu, Isiuzo LGA, Enugu State; and Chinecherem Idoho from Uboloafor, Udenu LGA, Enugu State.

During interrogation, all suspects admitted to their involvement in the crime and implicated an accomplice, KC, who is currently evading arrest.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the stolen armored cables were part of the 33KV dedicated Airport Feeder from Awka Substation supplying power to the Anambra International Cargo Airport in Umuleri.

,,,,,,The suspects confessed to using handsaws and cutters to sever and strip the electric cables before selling the stolen items as scrap.

The State Commandant has directed the Investigation and Intelligence Department to apprehend the fleeing suspect, KC, and upon completion of a discreet investigation, all suspects will be arraigned in court.

Commandant Osuala strongly condemned the activities of power installation vandals, labeling them as economic saboteurs.

He emphasized that vandalism of electricity network infrastructure is a serious offense, punishable with a maximum sentence of life imprisonment under Section 1(9) of the Miscellaneous Offenses Act LFN 2004.

,,,,,,Osuala reassured the public that the NSCDC is fully committed to safeguarding Critical National Assets and infrastructure in and around the state.