The Police Command in Cross River State has arrested four suspects in connection with the alleged vandalism and theft of electricity infrastructure in Calabar.
The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, disclosed this in a statement on Friday.
He said the suspects included a 36-year-old principal suspect and three others arrested during a follow-up operation.
According to him, the arrests followed the interrogation of one of the suspects, prompting police operatives to extend their search to Murtala Mohammed Highway, around Pepsi, and a dumpsite in the Harbour area of Calabar.
The police had earlier reported the alleged vandalism of electricity infrastructure at Agbo Ntoe Layout, Boulevard Road 2, off Parliamentary Extension, Calabar.
Eitokpah said five other persons were initially arrested for questioning.
“However, two of them were released after preliminary investigations found them not culpable, leaving three additional suspects in custody alongside the other suspect.”
He said investigations were ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged offence and determine the individual roles, if any, of the remaining suspects.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Ajo Ordue, reiterated the command’s commitment to protecting critical public infrastructure.
Ordue vowed that anyone found culpable of vandalism or the unlawful possession or receipt of stolen electricity materials would be dealt with in accordance with the law.
He urged members of the public to provide credible information to assist the investigation and cautioned against purchasing or receiving materials suspected to have been unlawfully obtained from electricity installations.
He also encouraged residents to report suspicious activities to the nearest police station.
