Police arrest six over electricity vandalism, cattle theft in Jigawa

The Jigawa State Police Command has arrested six suspects linked to cases of electricity vandalism and cattle theft, recovering stolen livestock and damaged property in separate operations across the state.

Jigawa State, largely rural and agrarian, has in recent years faced recurring challenges of cattle rustling and infrastructure vandalism, particularly theft of electricity cables and installations.

These crimes often disrupt local livelihoods, reduce power supply, and fuel insecurity in affected communities.

In a statement on Thursday in Dutse, the state capital, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Shi’isu Adam, said the arrests were made during intelligence-led operations in different local government areas.

According to the statement, the first case occurred on August 27, 2025, when two men broke into the house of one Alhaji Adamu Hussaini in Malam Madori LGA and stole a bull valued at N800,000.

The statement read, “One of the suspects, Usman Yusuf, was arrested, and the cow was recovered, while his accomplice remains at large.

“On August 30, operatives intercepted a white Golf vehicle carrying two stolen cows along Baturiya–Hadejia Road. Two suspects, Isubu Adamu and Danladi Maikudi, were arrested, with Isubu confessing to the theft.

On September 2, police intercepted Umaru Audu along the Kafin-Hausa route with two stolen cows belonging to Maijama’a Sule of Kaugama LGA. That same day, four cows and nine sheep were stolen from Hassan Zkitu of Taura township, but two cows were later recovered with the arrest of Ali Alhaji Buji.

“In a separate incident on September 3, police recovered vandalised high-tension electricity cables hidden in bags from Amadu Muhammad, who was arrested while attempting to transport them to Yobe State. His accomplice escaped but is being tracked”, the statement read.

Commending the efforts of Divisional Police Officers, operatives, and vigilante groups, the state Commissioner of Police, Dahiru Muhammad, assured that patrols, raids, and intelligence-driven operations would continue to ensure public safety.

He urged residents to remain vigilant and support the police by providing timely and credible information.

reports that electricity vandalism, in particular, has been a growing concern across northern states, where criminal gangs target high-tension cables and transformers for resale in illegal scrap markets.

Similarly, cattle rustling remains a major threat to farmers and pastoralists, often sparking conflicts in rural areas.