The Police Command in Enugu State has detained four suspected vandal and recovered trailer load of vandalised bridge parts and cut-off oil pipes in two separate operations in the state.

This is contained in a statement by the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, on Sunday in Enugu.

The spokesperson said the police operatives recovered the vandalised iron bridge components loaded in a 40-foot trailer and pieces of suspected carbon steel oil and gas pipes.

Mr Ndukwe said that both successful separate operations were carried out by the command serving in the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Squad, while on routine patrols.

He stated, “On February 6, at about 6:45p.m., operatives of SWAT Squad, while on routine patrol along the Sagem/Amaechi–Idodo axis of the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway, intercepted a white MAN Diesel 40-foot trailer conveying vandalised iron bridge parts.

“Three male suspects, identified as Okwudili Agbo, 45; Emmanuel Onyemachi,18; and Evans Monday, 29, were immediately detained in connection with the incident.

“Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects and their cohorts currently at large vandalised the bridge parts at Eziama Bridge, Amechi-Idodo, in Nkanu East Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.”

Mr Ndukwe said that in a second operation on the same date at about 11:56p.m., the same SWAT operatives, while on patrol along Owoh/Ubahu Road in Nkanu East LGA, intercepted and detained a suspect, Hyacinth Orjiakor, 50.

“Orjiakor was found assembling vandalised suspected carbon steel oil and gas pipes. Several pieces of the pipes and one gas cylinder were recovered from him.

“Investigative efforts are ongoing to apprehend other suspects currently at large, while the cases will be prosecuted in court once investigations are concluded,” he said.

Mr Ndukwe said that the state’s commissioner of police commended the operatives for their vigilance, prompt detention of the suspects and the recoveries made.

He said that the state police boss also reiterated the command’s unwavering commitment to the protection of lives and property across the state.

The spokesman warned that vandals, whose criminal activities cause serious social and economic setbacks, to desist forthwith, as the command would not relent in its efforts to track down and bring perpetrators to justice. 

(NAN)