Nonsochukwu Uwa, Owerri
The Imo State Police Command on Wednesday, paraded two male suspects, John Johnson, 24; and Ekene Nwaoji 21, both natives of Nde Achi Ebonyi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, over alleged vandalism of electric cables at Ugiri in Isiala Mbano LGA of Imo State.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Michael Abattam, disclosed this to newsmen in Owerri.
He said their arrest was made last Sunday following a report from the community over the continued vandalism of their electric cables that left them in a blackout.
According to him, “sequel to a report of the constant vandalism of EEDC Electrical Cables at Ugiri in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State, resulting in the continuous blackout in the community, the Command’s Tactical Teams had to carry out discreet investigation to unravel the perpetrators of this dastardly act.
“On 28/8/2022 at about 1130 hours, after gathering credible information, the police operatives, supported by the community vigilante group, arrested one John Johnson ‘m’ aged 24 years and Ekene Nwaojiji ‘m’ aged 21 years, both natives Nde Achi Ebonyi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State and recovered one locally made double barrel Pistol; one locally made single barrel Pistol; six rounds of live cartridges; vandalized high tension electric cables; one saw blade and one knife from them.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that they are serial vandals who have been terrorizing the community with other members of their gang, vandalizing most of the high tension cables and transformers thereby putting the community in total blackout The suspects have made useful statements, mentioning those to who they do sell the items, after vandalizing them. Efforts are on top gear to arrest the buyers of the gang.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Ahmed Barde, while commending the Command’s operatives for a job well done, sympathized with the people of Ugiri in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State for the blackout they suffered in the hands of the vandals but assured them that the hoodlums will be made to face the full wrath of the law,” Police said.
