The Yobe State Police Command has arrested three suspected vandals and recovered suspected stolen electricity cables, transformer components and vehicles allegedly used in the operation.
According to The Punch, the command said the arrests formed part of its sustained campaign against the vandalism of critical national infrastructure and other public utilities across the state.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Dungus Abdulkarim, disclosed that operatives attached to the Area Command in Gashua acted on credible intelligence to arrest a 27-year-old aluminium pot maker, Abubakar Idris, from the Sabon Gari area of Bade Local Government Area.
According to the statement, Idris was apprehended at about 1 p.m. on July 23, 2026, while allegedly found in possession of suspected stolen power cables.
It added, “During the operation, two large bundles of power cables were recovered from the suspect.”
The police said the investigation later led to the arrest of two additional suspects, identified as 25-year-old Samaila Suleiman and 26-year-old Ibrahim Ado.
The statement further revealed that officers recovered a tricycle, popularly known as a Keke NAPEP, with registration number 497 DPH, allegedly used to convey the stolen materials. An unregistered Boxer motorcycle suspected to have been used in carrying out the operation was also recovered.
The command noted that efforts were ongoing to apprehend other members of the suspected syndicate who are still on the run, while investigations continue to determine the origin and ownership of the recovered items.
Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police, Usman Kanfani Jibrin, reiterated the command’s resolve to stamp out vandalism and other acts of economic sabotage.
“The Yobe State Police Command has zero tolerance for vandalism, destruction of public infrastructure and other acts of economic sabotage.
“All tactical and investigative units have been directed to intensify efforts to track down all fleeing members of the criminal syndicate to ensure they are arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law,” the commissioner said.
He also urged residents to cooperate with the police by providing credible information that could help prevent attacks on public infrastructure.
“The command urges members of the public to remain vigilant and continue providing timely and credible information to the police to safeguard critical public infrastructure and enhance security across the state,” he added.
