The alleged trade in stolen electricity infrastructure has suffered a setback in Kogi State following the arrest of two men accused of vandalising and purchasing armoured power cables in Egbe, Yagba West Local Government Area.
The Kogi State Vigilante Service (KSVS) said its operatives arrested the suspects on October 30 after acting on what it described as sustained and credible intelligence.
The first suspect, identified as 30-year-old Jonah Bako, was reportedly caught in the act of vandalising armoured cables belonging to the power company at about 9pm.
His arrest subsequently led to the apprehension of a second suspect, 45-year-old Abdullahi Yunusa, whom Bako allegedly identified as his regular buyer.
Yunusa, described as a scrap dealer, was arrested over his alleged role in receiving the stolen materials.
The arrests were disclosed in a statement issued on Monday by the service’s Public Relations Officer, Idris S. Idris.
The Comptroller-General of KSVS, Alhaji Ibrahim Usman Anataku, commended the operatives for their vigilance and commitment to tackling criminal activities.
He urged them to intensify efforts against vandalism and other security threats across the state.
Anataku also acknowledged Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s continued support for the service.
He appealed to residents to support security operations by providing credible and actionable intelligence, noting that the protection of lives and property requires collective responsibility.
The Comptroller-General assured informants that information supplied to the service, as well as their identities, would be treated confidentially.
The statement did not disclose whether the suspects had been handed over to the police or formally charged to court.