From Sani Gazas Chinade, Damaturu
The Yobe State Police Command has arrested two suspected vandals of electricity infrastructure in Yusufari Local Government Area.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dungus Abdulkareem, said operatives of the Yusufari Divisional Headquarters apprehended the suspects, identified as Kabiru Ibrahim, 23, of Sabon Garin Gashu, and Abubakar Abubakar, 24, of Bade LGA, for allegedly dismantling transformer components and cables at Sunomari area of Yusufari town.
Abdulkareem explained that the arrest followed credible intelligence, adding that the suspects confessed to the crime during interrogation.
He noted that investigations were ongoing to ensure their prosecution.
Shortly after the arrest, youths in the community trooped out in anger, accusing the suspects of repeated acts of vandalism in the area.
The situation nearly turned violent as the angry mob attempted to lynch the suspects and later set ablaze a motorcycle belonging to one of them.
The Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Ado, psc, fdc, condemned the act of vandalism, warning residents against taking the law into their hands.
“The Command will not condone vandalism of public property, neither will it tolerate any form of jungle justice. We call on members of the public to always report suspicious activities to the nearest police station or security formation,” the statement quoted the CP as saying.
The police boss assured that the suspects would be prosecuted in line with the law while reiterating his call for cooperation from communities to safeguard critical infrastructure across the state.