The police command in Yobe has arrested five suspects in separate operations over alleged fraud and vandalism of electricity infrastructure. The command spokesman, Dungus Abdulkarim, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.

He said operatives of ‘A’ Division, Damaturu, arrested two suspects in connection with the alleged fraudulent acquisition of food items from a shop along the Ajari-Gashua Road in the state capital.

According to Mr Abdulkarim, the alleged attack occurred on July 31 when an accomplice impersonated the complainant via a telephone call and fraudulently obtained one carton of OBA spaghetti and two half bags of parboiled rice.

The suspects are a 26-year-old from Zanna Zakarya Housing Estate and a 25-year-old from Waziri Ibrahim Housing Estate, both in Damaturu.

The police spokesman said detectives launched a discreet investigation after the matter was reported, leading to the suspects’ arrest. He added that the suspects confessed to the offence during interrogation, and the stolen food items were recovered and registered as exhibits.

Mr Abdulkarim said investigation was ongoing with a view to prosecuting the suspects.

In another development, the statement said the Fika Divisional Police Headquarters received a distress report at about 8:00 a.m. on Thursday that unidentified persons had vandalised a community transformer and carted away its power cable.

He said police operatives, working with community members and local vigilantes, mobilised immediately and tracked one of the suspects, a 23-year-old, who was found in possession of the stolen transformer cable.

According to him, the suspect confessed to the offence during interrogation, while two additional suspects were subsequently arrested in connection with the crime.

“The stolen power cable was recovered as an exhibit, while investigation is ongoing to establish the full extent of the criminal network and ensure all those involved are brought to justice,” Mr Abdulkarim said.

The police spokesman said the command was investigating a case of causing grievous hurt reported at the Tarmuwa Divisional Police Headquarters.

He said preliminary investigation revealed that the alleged attack followed an allegation that a 22-year-old suspect discovered his wife in a compromising situation with another man near her parents’ residence at Danewa-Biriri village in Tarmuwa council area.

Mr Abdulkarim said the suspect allegedly shot the victim with a bow and arrow during the ensuing altercation, inflicting serious injuries. He said the victim was receiving treatment at the Police Hospital, Damaturu, while the suspect had been arrested.

According to him, investigation is ongoing to establish all the circumstances surrounding the incident, after which appropriate legal action will be taken.

Mr Abdulkarim said the police commissioner, Usman Jibrin, urged residents to remain law-abiding and refrain from taking the law into their own hands.

He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives, property and critical national assets across the state.

(NAN)