By Prince Wiro
The Rivers State Police Command has made a significant breakthrough in the fight against transformer vandalism as the command has arrested six suspects including the mediator between the suspected robbers.
Spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, SP Grace Iringe Koko in a statement on February 17,2025 said on 9th. January, 2025, the Rivers State Police Command received a petition about the disturbing activities of unknown hoodlums attacking local security guards and vandalizing public assets.
SP Koko stated that the report suggested that on the 3rd of January, 2025, at about 0300hrs a 1,000KVA transformer worth Fifty-Two Million Naira (₦52,000,000.00) was vandalized and stolen from NNPCL Estate in Rumuokwurushi, Port- Harcourt by unknown hoodlums after tying and robbing the local security guards on duty of their phones and money.
The Police Image Maker disclosed that acting on this information, operatives from the C4i Intelligence Unit through coordinated operations, resulting in the arrest of:
1. Raphael Ngwuebor, ‘m’ aged 52yrs, from Umezeoka Community in Ezza LGA, Ebonyi State, an accomplice of the sponsor.
2 Christopher Nwagwu ‘m’ aged 50yrs from Aboh My Side LGA, Imo State who is the end receiver of the stolen transformer,
3. Chimene Wagoha ‘m’ aged 35yrs from Ikwerre, Rivers State who accompanied the driver and lifted the stolen transformer and drove it to the sponsor’s office,
4. Chikodi Ogu ‘m’ aged 38yrs from Omuma LGA, Rivers State who assisted the Hiab driver and removed the transformer from the Estate,
5. Obinna Nwankwo ‘m’ aged 43yrs from Omuma LGA, Rivers State was the facilitator and mediator between the robbers and the receiver. He also negotiated the purchase price of the transformer and the sum of Ten Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira (#10,500,000.00) was paid into his Bank Account.
6. John Aguarar ‘m’ aged 36yrs from Etche LGA, Rivers State, the sponsor of the illegal transaction. He gave out his Hiab to transport the transformer and kept same in his office before finally selling it. The stolen transformer was recovered from the suspects.
“During interrogation, the suspects confessed to being part of a syndicate specialized in vandalizing and stealing transformers and electrical installations in Rivers State.
“The suspects and exhibit are currently in police custody, and investigation is ongoing. Efforts are being intensified to apprehend other members of the syndicate”SP Koko said.