From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
Operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Abia Command, have arrested 11 suspects for allegedly vandalising electrical installations.
Those arrested include: Ojukwu Ogba, Eze Michael, Chinemerem Ihensu, Williams Ifeanyi, Okoro Diogo and Ukaoma Ezindu. Others are Emmanuel Igwe, Orji Chijioke, Oluwaseyi Great, Okorocha Uchenna and Kingsley Nzeh.
Parading the suspects at the headquarters of the RRS in Aba, yesterday, the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Geoffrey Ogbonna, said the men were arrested in Umuchiala, Owerrinta in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area.
Ogbonna said those arrested were suspected to be among the syndicate that specialised in vandalising and stealing electrical installations in communities within the area.
“The suspects are suspected to be among the syndicate that specialised in vandalising and stealing electrical installations, which sabotage the efforts of communities and EEDC in rendering their services.
“These 11 suspects were arrested in Umuchiala Owerrinta in Isiala Ngwa South LGA on July 18, 2022, by the Internal Security team of the Nigeria Navy College of Account and Finance, Naval Base Owerrinta, in conjunction with the police during a routine patrol of Umuchiala community.”
He said the suspects have confessed to the crime and are helping the investigation in tracking their receivers. The PPRO assured that the suspects will be charged to court as soon as the investigation is concluded.
While commending the RRS commander, Johnbull Obiogoro, and his men for doing good work, Ogbonna enjoined communities to mobilise their vigilance groups to extend their services to government installations within their areas, to avoid this and other economic sabotages.
Items recovered from the suspects include six GSM phones, two buses with registration Nos. Rivers: BGM 447 XA and Rivers: XW 640 ABM.
Other items were two ignition keys, three big sacs, one metal cutter and one marine rope.