Four Arrested In Connection With High Voltage Cable Theft

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Jigawa State Command has apprehended four notorious thieves in the state’s Babura Local Government Area.

According to CSC Adamu Shehu, the command’s spokesperson, 70 meters of 16 mm, 4 core streetlight armoured cable, worth N630,000, were confiscated from the suspects on Tuesday, February 14, 2023.

The statement read, “Four suspects namely, Yahaya Rabiu ‘m’ aged 20, Rabilu Alto ‘m’, Haruna Mustapha ‘m’ and Ibrahim Isa ‘m’, both 18yrs from Tsohon Kafi, Kazaure LGA were apprehended by operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, in Babura Local Government Area on a suspected case of conspiracy, vandalization and theft.

“The suspects were arrested on Thursday, 9th of February, 2023 at about 6:00 am upon receipt of a distress call at the NSCDC Divisional office by a good Samaritan living in the area who sighted the suspects at about 2:30 am while committing the crime.

“They were later arrested in collaboration with the residents living in the area at about 6:00 am while harbouring around the surrounding bushes. At the time of their arrest, they were in possession of 70 meters of 16mm 4 core streetlight armoured cable which they conspired, vandalized and stole along Titin Tanda Street, Akula Quarters, Babura LGA belonging to Jigawa State Ministry of Works and Transport. Their actions put the whole area into darkness. The value of the armoured cable is put at about N630,000 with each meter selling for N9,000.

“Investigation revealed that the suspects masterminded their evil plan from Kazaure where they boarded a taxi on Wednesday, 8th day of February 2023 to Babura LGA with the sole intent to steal the armoured cable, where they arrived the town at around 3:00 pm, surveyed the area and then waited until darkness sets in.

“Investigation is ongoing to ascertain whether the suspects have a hand in the recent vandalisation and theft of armoured cables at various water plants and streetlights in both Kazaure, Maigatari and Sule Tankarkar LGAs.

“The offences (vandalisation, conspiracy and theft) are contrary and punishable under section 1(9) of the miscellaneous offences act, sections 96 and 97 of the penal code and sections 286 and 287 of the penal code law. Suspects will be charged in court after a thorough investigation.

“Meanwhile, the State Commandant, Musa Alhaji Malah (CC), enjoined residents to be vigilant and report acts of vandalisation and any form of crime and criminality to the nearest NSCDC office.”