The police command in Katsina State has arrested five suspects for alleged criminal conspiracy, theft, and unlawful sale of electric cable assets in Bugaje, Jibia Local Government Area.

The command’s public relations officer, DSP Abubakar Sadiq-Aliyu, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Katsina.

Mr Sadiq-Aliyu said the suspects were arrested following credible intelligence on the alleged illegal possession and sale of electric cable assets.

According to him, investigations revealed that the electric cables in the Bugaje community collapsed during a heavy windstorm and were secured by community leaders pending official action.

“However, the suspects allegedly conspired and unlawfully removed parts of the cables before selling them without authorisation,” he said.

Mr Sadiq-Aliyu identified the principal suspects as Hassan Ibrahim, 30; Lawal Ibrahim, 31; and Abubakar Sani, 31.

He added that investigations further revealed that the stolen items were allegedly carted away by Umar Isa, 35, and eventually sold to Ibrahim Rabiu, 27.

The police spokesman said the suspects confessed to selling the electric cables for N300,000.

He said operatives also recovered 10 iron doors suspected of having been carted away from Barawa Housing Estate, along with electrical cables, power line components, insulators, connectors, and scrap parts from electricity transformers.

According to him, the suspects named seven other accomplices who are currently at large, and efforts are ongoing to arrest them.

Mr Sadiq-Aliyu said the suspects would be charged in court upon completion of investigations.

The spokesperson said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Ali Umar-Fage, warned against vandalism, theft, and illegal disposal of public property.

He added that Mr Umar-Fage further assured residents that the command would continue to protect government assets.

The commissioner urged the public to report suspicious activities to the nearest police station for prompt action.

(NAN)