The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Kogi State has arrested two men over the alleged vandalism of electricity distribution cables belonging to the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC).
The suspects, identified as Jonah Bako, 30, and Abdullahi Yunusa, 40, were handed over to the NSCDC on November 2 by operatives of the Kogi State Vigilante Service (KSVS), who arrested them in Egbe, Yagba West Local Government Area.
The development was disclosed in a statement signed by the NSCDC Kogi State Command Public Relations Officer, SC Aliyu Abdullahi.
According to the Corps, the suspects are being investigated for alleged criminal conspiracy, vandalism of critical national infrastructure and receiving stolen property.
Preliminary investigations reportedly showed that Bako allegedly removed armoured cables belonging to IBEDC, stripped their outer coverings and extracted the copper wires for sale.
Yunusa, who reportedly resides in Lokoja, was identified as the alleged buyer of the stolen materials. He was said to have travelled to Egbe to purchase the cables when vigilante operatives arrested both men.
The NSCDC further disclosed that investigations revealed that Yunusa had allegedly purchased stolen materials from Bako on previous occasions.
The Corps said both suspects reportedly confessed to the allegations, adding that they would be charged in court after the conclusion of investigations.
However, the alleged confessions have not been independently verified, and no response from the suspects or their legal representatives was included in the statement.
The NSCDC State Commandant, Aletan Olumide Ebenezer, commended the vigilante service for its cooperation and timely intervention in protecting critical infrastructure.
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He warned youths against engaging in criminal activities, particularly the destruction of public infrastructure, which he said could disrupt essential services and affect economic development.
Ebenezer also assured residents that the command would strengthen its collaboration with other security agencies to tackle criminal activities across the state.
He urged members of the public to avoid purchasing illegally sourced cables and other infrastructure materials, while encouraging residents to provide useful information to security agencies to help protect public assets.
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