By Zainab Kasim Ibrahim
The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested two young men for allegedly vandalizing electric poles and stealing wires belonging to the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (popularly called NEPA wires) in Dan Dango area of Bauchi metropolis.
The suspects, identified as Adamu Abdullahi, 25, from Dan Dango, and Mujahid, 22, from Gudum Hausawa, were paraded at the State Police Headquarters.
During interrogation, Adamu Abdullahi confessed that he and his accomplice were contracted by one Haruna of Gudum Hausawa, who asked them to cut down the electric pole wires and sell them as scrap aluminum. He revealed that they sold the wires at the rate of ₦1,000 per kilogram.
Mujahid, on his part, admitted joining Adamu for the first time, claiming he was lured by Haruna because he was jobless and had no money. He denied any involvement in vandalizing transformers or stealing armoured cables but expressed regret over his actions, describing it as “a mistake and a misfortune.”
Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Ahmed Mohammed Wakil, confirmed the arrest, warning that vandalism of public infrastructure poses a serious risk not only to the suspects but to the community at large. He further assured that investigations are ongoing to arrest other accomplices, including the said Haruna, and that the suspects will be charged to court upon completion of investigations.
The Command therefore appealed to members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements around public facilities to security agencies.