The Yobe command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps says it has arrested six suspects who allegedly vandalised transformers and power substations in Damaturu.

NSCDC commandant Adamu Zakari stated this in Damaturu on Wednesday.

“On April 14, at about 6:00 a.m., NSCDC operatives arrested 18-year-old Adamu Abdullahi and 19-year-old Isa Umar for allegedly vandalising armoured cables behind the Yobe State Secretariat Complex in Damaturu,” Mr Zakari said.

He said a resident of Waziri Ibrahim Estate had raised an alarm, which led to the arrest of the suspects.

The commandant said the investigation revealed that the vandalised armoured cable recovered from the suspects is about 20 metres of 50milimetre pure copper single core cable, valued at about N1.2 million.

He said further investigation also linked three other suspects to the vandalisation and theft of the cables.

According to Mr Zakari, the suspects confessed to having committed the offence and are cooperating with the investigation team.

He added that the suspects voluntarily admitted to vandalising several transformers within the Damaturu metropolis.

Mr Zakari said on April 6, the residents of Nayi Nawa Tsallake in Damaturu apprehended and handed over to the command one Umar Mustapha, 34, for vandalising a power substation.

According to him, items recovered from the suspects included a ladder, safety helmet, plier, pair of safety hand gloves, safety waist belt with lanyard, safety booth, and fake identity cards.

He said investigations revealed that some of the suspects were former ad hoc employees of Yola Electricity Distribution Company (YEDC), whom the company laid off.

He said the suspects would be charged in court upon completion of investigations.

The commandant appreciated the public for cooperating with and supporting security agencies to fight crime and criminality.

(NAN)