The Rivers State Police Command has arrested six suspects over alleged vandalization of public assets and for attacking local vigilante members.
Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Grace Iringe –Koko, who disclosed in a statement on Monday, said the command was alerted of the activities of the vandals on January 9, 2025.
She said suspected vandals on January 3, 2025, had vandalized and stolen a 1,000KVA transformer worth ₦52 million from the NNPCL Estate, Rumuokwurushi, Port- Harcourt, after the vandals had robbed the security guards on duty.
Iringe –Koko said that acting on the information, police operatives swung into action, resulting in the arrest of the suspects.
She identified the suspects as Raphael Ngwuebor, from Ebonyi State; Christopher Nwagwu, from Imo State who is the end receiver of the stolen transformer, Chimene Wagoha, from Ikwerre, Rivers State and Chikodi Ogu, also from Rivers State.
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The other suspects are Obinna Nwankwo, from Rivers State, who facilitated the sale of the stolen transformer atN10.5 million, and John Aguarar, from Rivers State.
The stolen transformer has been recovered from the suspects.
The statement said during interrogation, the suspects confessed to being part of a syndicate specializing in vandalizing and stealing transformers and electrical installations throughout the state.
“The suspects and exhibit are currently in police custody, and investigation is ongoing. Efforts are being intensified to apprehend other members of the syndicate,” police added.
