Police Arrests Two Ex-Convicts, Others For Vandalism In Bauchi

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested two ex-convicts and two others for vandalizing eleven electricity transformers in Azare, Katagum Local Government Area of the state. 

The suspects were identified as 30-year-old Adamu Ahmed, 28-year-old Usman Mohammed, Sulaiman Muhammed and Umar Abdullahi, both 35-years of age.

They were arrested by the joint team of Mobile Police Operatives and local hunters in Azare town.

The suspects who hail from Matsango ward of Katagum LGA were arrested along Kari-Sade Road of Azare town.

This was contained in a statement signed and issued by the spokesperson of the command, SP Ahmed Mohammed Wakil on Friday.

"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. 

"The suspects were arrested at Kari-Sade Road while suspiciously sighted approaching a nearby electricity transformer.

"During interrogation, the suspects reveal that they were in the vicinity of the transformer to steal the transformer oil, they started 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 statement reads.

He explained that the suspects confessed to have stolen six to eight containers with 25litres capacity and sold at the rate of N12,000 to the said person that introduced them to the illegal business. 

During the investigation, the police realised that two of the suspects were previously convicted for theft. 

"They show no remorse for committing a heinous crime."

The state's commissioner of police, CP Aminu Alhassan commended the operatives for the success recorded in the arrest.

He further directed that the suspects be charged to court upon completion of investigation.