Blackout: 14 Suspects Arrested For Vandalizing 132KV Transmission Tower Line In Rivers And Bayelsa

Fourteen persons have been apprehended by the police in connection with the vandalization of the 132 KV transmission tower line along the Ahoada/Mbiama axis of the East-West Road in Rivers State and the Igbogene axis of Bayelsa State.
 
The vandalization has left Bayelsa State in darkness for over two months, with residents and business owners experiencing serious difficulties.
 
The Zonal Police Public Relations Officer, SP Gunn. Ewhoborwo Emomena disclosed this while parading some of the suspects before newsmen at the Zone 16 Headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force in Yenagoa on Monday, October 7, 2024.
 
Emomena said the suspects who have been on the wanted list of the Zone for the past few months were arrested based on credible intelligence in Rivers State.
 
According to the PPRO, some of the items recovered from the suspects as exhibits include 35 mm floor core armoured cables, 70 mm floor core armoured cables, 50 mm SLPE cables, Electrical Pot Installer as well as wheel spanners.
 
Other items recovered from the suspects as exhibits are cutting blades, long botts, eleven KV poles, recline cables and bee copper.
 
“Following a petition by the Honorable Commissioner of Power, Hon. Engr. Kharin Akari Komuko, on behalf of the Bayelsa State Government, to the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Zone 16 Headquarters, Yenagoa, operatives of the Surveillance and Intelligence Section under the Zonal Criminal Investigation Department, have successfully arrested 14 suspects involved in the vandalization of the 132KV transmission tower line along the Ahoada-Mbiama axis of the East-West Road and Igbogene axis in Rivers and Bayelsa States,” SP Emomena stated.
 
"The arrest was made on September 11, 2024, following credible intelligence that led to the capture of the suspects in Rivers State.
 
The individuals arrested are as follows:
 
1. Christopher Chinmelam Onyeno (m), 22 years, Imo State

2. Chinyereugo Ukommaduakolam (m), 20 years, Imo State

3. Believe Ajudu (m), 31 years, Rivers State

4. Believe Chimela (m), 30 years

5. Usuman Albert Odumanyuyah (m), 50 years, Rivers State

6. Newman Ejimadu (m), 32 years, Rivers State

7. Pentecost Godwin (m), 36 years, Rivers State

8. Ogbunike Morgan (m), 20 years, Rivers State

9. Juluis Okpuhigwe (m), 54 years, Rivers State

10. Abubakar Umaru (m), 22 years, Sokoto State

11. Moses Stephen (m), 26 years, Rivers State

12. Emmanuel John (m), 35 years, Kano State

13. Kabiru Usman (m), 30 years, Kano State

14. Aminu Sanusi (m), 20 years, Kano State
 
"During the investigation, several exhibits were recovered, including: 35mm armored cables, 70mm armored cables, 50mm SLPE cables, Electrical pot insulators, Wheel spanners, Cutting blades, Long boots, Eleven KV poles, Recline cables, Earth cables, Bee copper
 
"These suspects had been on the wanted list of the Zone for several months due to their involvement in the destruction of critical power infrastructure, which has caused major disruptions in power supply within the region.
 
"The AIG in charge of Zone 16, AIG Paul Alifa Omata, has reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring the safety and security of lives and property within the Zone. He called on residents to take proactive steps to protect their communities and support law enforcement efforts.
 
“The Nigeria Police Force, under the leadership of Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, PhD, NPM, remains dedicated to securing all citizens and has urged the public to cooperate with authorities to maintain a crime-free society.”