Police Arrest Four over Electricity Infrastructure Theft in Calabar

The Cross River State Police Command has arrested four suspects in connection with the alleged vandalism and theft of electricity infrastructure in Calabar.

The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, disclosed this in a statement issued in Calabar on Friday.

He said the suspects comprised a 36-year-old principal suspect and three others arrested during a follow-up operation after investigators obtained information from the initial interrogation.

According to him, the police extended their operations to Murtala Mohammed Highway, around the Pepsi area, and a dumpsite in the Harbour area of Calabar.

The investigation followed an earlier report of alleged vandalism of electricity infrastructure at Agbo Ntoe Layout, Boulevard Road 2, off Parliamentary Extension, Calabar.

Eitokpah said five additional persons had initially been arrested for questioning in connection with the alleged offences. However, two were released after preliminary investigations found them not culpable, leaving three additional suspects in custody alongside the principal suspect.

He said investigations were ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged crime and determine the individual roles, if any, of those still being held.

The Commissioner of Police in Cross River State, Mr Ajo Ordue, reiterated the command’s commitment to protecting critical public infrastructure and ensuring that anyone found culpable was dealt with in accordance with the law.

Ordue urged residents to provide credible information that could assist investigators and warned members of the public against purchasing or receiving materials suspected to have been unlawfully removed from electricity installations.

He also encouraged residents to report suspicious activities involving transformers, cables and other public infrastructure to the nearest police station.

The command said investigations would continue to establish the full extent of the alleged offences and identify any other persons who might be connected to the case.