Police arrest notorious electricity cable vandal in Sokoto

The Sokoto State Police Command has apprehended a notorious serial vandal involved in the theft of electricity infrastructure in the state.

In a press release issued on Monday, June 23, 2025, by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Rufai, the command confirmed the arrest of one Aminu Umar, a male resident of Gidan Igwai area, Sokoto, for criminal vandalism and theft of aluminium conductor wires belonging to the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company.

The release stated, “The suspect was arrested around 7:00 a.m. on June 20, 2025, along Ummaruma Achida while in possession of two rolls of the stolen aluminium wires.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that Umar confessed to receiving the sum of five thousand naira (₦5,000) from one Usman Yahaya of Makera Asada area as payment to supply the stolen items.”

The police further disclosed that Yahaya is a known offender who has previously been charged in court for similar offences, reinforcing the suspicion of an organised pattern of economic sabotage.

Both suspects are expected to be arraigned in court upon conclusion of the investigation.

Reacting to the arrest, the Commissioner of Police, Sokoto State Command, reiterated the command’s commitment to safeguarding public infrastructure and combating all forms of criminality.

He called on residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious individuals or activities in their communities to assist security agencies in curbing vandalism and related crimes.

The police assured the public that efforts are ongoing to dismantle criminal networks threatening the state’s critical infrastructure.