George Okoh in Makurdi
Two suspected vandals have been arrested by the Aliade community youths in Benue State and handed over to the police for investigation and prosecution.
One of the suspects, Mr. Peter Awanger, who resides in Aliade, Gwer-East Local Government Area of the state, was caught vandalising the transformer located at the LGEA Primary School at about 2 a.m. on August 23, 2021.
Upon his arrest, the youths invited the traditional ruler of Aliade, His Royal Highness, Chief John Wunde, to the scene of the incident before handing him over to the police for investigation and possible prosecution.
Upon interrogation, the suspected vandal, who confessed vandalising a total of five distribution transformers within the locality, disclosed that he had been selling the vandalised items such as armoured cables, feeder pillars units, spans of aluminum conductors among other parts to one Mr. Christian Odunwa in Makurdi.
Based on his confession, the police took him to Makurdi where Odunwa was identified and promptly arrested on August 24, 2021.
Both the suspected vandal and his buyer have been transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Police Force headquarters in Makurdi for further action.
Confirming the arrest, the Police spokesperson in the state, DSP Catherine Anene, said the police are investigating the case, even as the vandals are in the police custody.
Reacting to the incident, the Managing Director of Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JEDC) Plc, Hashim Ibrahim Bakori, thanked the youths and the traditional ruler for protecting electricity installations in their domain.
Bakori also urged members of the various communities in the company’s franchise states to emulate the youths and leadership of Aliade community.
