The Bauchi State police command has warned criminals destroying and looting public properties to vacate the state, vowing to deal with anybody arrested in accordance with the law.

A loud sound was heard around an electric high-tension transmission line situated in the Anguwan Kanawa area, a suburb of the Bauchi metropolis.

This is contained in a statement issued by the command’s spokesman, SP Ahmed Wakil, made available on Sunday in Bauchi.

He said that the command has vowed to sniff out all criminal merchants desperate to make a living on government and private property installed to improve the living conditions of citizens in the state.

“Hence, the command sought continued collaboration and support from members of the public to secure the lives and property of the people.

“The Command received a report from the Chief Security Officer of Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi, indicating that on the quoted date, a loud sound was heard around an electric High Tension Transmission Line situated in Anguwan Kanawa area.

“Upon receiving the report, a team of police operatives, including the specialised personnel from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Chemicals Biological Radioactive and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN) Unit, was drafted and deployed to the scene immediately,” Mr Wakil said.

The spokesman said a preliminary investigation revealed that a high-tension pole collapsed and was damaged as a result of explosives used by suspected economic vandals.

“Furthermore, the vicinity was cordoned off and swept by the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Chemicals Biological Radioactive and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN) Operatives.

“Some remnant components of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) were recovered from the scene,” he said.

The spokesman said CP Auwal Musa has condemned the act and directed for a discreet and full-scale investigation into the incident to ensure that the perpetrators are arrested and brought to justice.

The commissioner urged the people of the state to help the police with useful information that would aid investigations.

“He equally urged the good people of the state not to be panicked by the incident and to go about their lawful businesses as the situation has been put under control,” Mr Wakil said.

(NAN)