Police arrest six for stealing solar panels in Bayelsa

Six persons have been arrested by operatives of the Bayelsa State Police Command over their involvement in alleged cases of vandalism and theft of solar panels in parts of the state.

There has been a recent upsurge of vandalism and theft of solar panel components of solar streetlights installed by the Bayelsa State Government and the Niger Delta Development Commission across the state.

News gathered that vandals use cutting tools to bring down the poles and remove the solar panels, which they sell for profit.

The police said the suspects were caught with stolen solar panels and iron cutting equipment, and are assisting in investigations to unravel those involved in buying the stolen items.

Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Francis Idu, who spoke on the spike in cases of vandalism and theft of solar streetlights, said the suspects would be prosecuted.

Idu said solar streetlight thieves operate along the Elebele-AIT Road and other lonely stretches of road in Yenagoa and other parts of the state.

He disclosed that the state government has assisted the police command in procuring a high-powered, long-range security drone for both day and night surveillance to ensure a reduction in crime and criminality.

He said, “Vandalism is sabotage. We have discovered that some criminal elements are venting their frustrations on solar lights, infrastructures that have kept nightlife going in the state. And those involved are being monitored and apprehended.

“Vandalism is sabotage, and the citizens’ social infrastructure should not be tampered with and destroyed. It is an investment for the people.”

On the parade of suspects, Idu called for a review of the restriction against parading suspects.

He said, “We don’t support dehumanisation of suspects, but those arrested with evidence should be allowed to be paraded as a deterrent to others thinking of toeing their line.”