By Yarima Haruna, Kebbi
The Kebbi State Police Command has recovered a large quantity of suspected stolen electricity service cables and arrested a suspect in connection with the theft in Bunza Local Government Area of the state.
The recovery was made during a police operation conducted on August 25 in the Kara area of Bunza town, following growing concerns over the persistent theft and vandalism of electricity infrastructure in the community.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Bashir Usman, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Thursday in Birnin Kebbi.
According to Usman, police operatives acting on information about the activities of suspected electricity cable thieves moved into the Kara area, where they recovered a substantial quantity of cables believed to have been stolen from electricity infrastructure serving communities in the area.
He said the operation led to the recovery of 10 bundles and seven sacks of electricity service cables, while a suspect identified as Mustapha Abubakar was arrested in connection with the incident.
The suspect was subsequently arraigned before a court as investigations continued into the circumstances surrounding the alleged theft.
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The police spokesperson said the recovery was significant because the continued theft and vandalism of electricity infrastructure had negatively affected electricity supply to residents and businesses in several communities.
He explained that the activities of criminals targeting electricity infrastructure had contributed to prolonged darkness in affected areas, thereby disrupting the daily activities and economic livelihood of residents.
Electricity infrastructure vandalism has remained a major concern across Nigeria, with stolen cables, transformers and other power installations frequently targeted by criminals for financial gain. Such activities can leave communities without electricity while also creating additional costs for power distribution companies and government agencies responsible for maintaining critical infrastructure.
The Kebbi Police Command said it was particularly concerned about the impact of the criminal activities on communities that depend on electricity for domestic, commercial and other essential activities.
Usman said the latest operation demonstrated the command’s determination to identify and dismantle criminal networks involved in the theft and destruction of public infrastructure in the state.
He quoted the Commissioner of Police, CP Umar Hadejia, as reaffirming the command’s commitment to protecting critical national assets and ensuring that individuals found responsible for such offences are brought to justice.
Hadejia warned that the command would not relent in its efforts to tackle criminal activities capable of undermining public infrastructure and disrupting essential services.
The Commissioner also called on residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with the police by providing timely information about suspicious movements and activities within their communities.
He urged members of the public who notice individuals involved in the removal, transportation or concealment of electricity cables and other public infrastructure to report such activities immediately to the security authorities.
The command provided 09039911876 and 07081974395 as contact numbers through which residents can pass relevant information.
Hadejia assured members of the public that information supplied to the police would be treated with strict confidentiality.
The police said the arrest of the suspect and recovery of the cables would assist ongoing efforts to uncover the wider network behind the alleged theft and determine whether other individuals were involved.
The command further assured residents that security operations would continue across Bunza and other parts of Kebbi State to protect public assets and prevent criminals from exploiting critical infrastructure.
The development comes as security agencies across the country intensify efforts to combat the vandalism and theft of public infrastructure, which authorities say pose a threat to essential services and economic activities.
Residents of Bunza and surrounding communities have consequently been encouraged to work closely with security agencies and report suspicious activities promptly to help prevent further attacks on electricity installations.
