The Gombe State Police Command has arrested a 29-year-old man over the alleged vandalism and theft of high-tension electricity cables, recovering four rolls of the stolen materials in an operation supported by community members.
The suspect, identified as Ahijo Boyi, was reportedly apprehended on October 31, 2026, during a routine police patrol in Gombe State. His arrest followed a joint effort between police operatives and residents who assisted security personnel in identifying and apprehending the suspected cable vandal.
According to a statement issued on Monday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Buhari Abdullahi, Boyi is a resident of Burundi Quarters in Akko Local Government Area of the state.
The police spokesperson explained that the operatives were conducting a visibility patrol at approximately 9 am when they arrested the suspect. Four rolls of suspected vandalised high-tension electricity cables were subsequently recovered during the operation.
Preliminary investigations reportedly traced the recovered materials to an electricity transmission line extending from the 301 Army Artillery Regiment to the Gona area of Gombe State.
The police said the suspect allegedly admitted during interrogation that he collaborated with three other individuals to carry out the operation. However, the three alleged accomplices have reportedly fled and remain at large.
The command has since intensified efforts to locate and arrest the remaining suspects as investigations into the incident continue.
Also Read: Ex-Marlian Dancer Lil Smart Nabbed for Alleged Crimes
Police Intensify Search for Three Alleged Accomplices
The arrest has drawn attention to the continued threat posed by the vandalism of electricity infrastructure, particularly high-tension transmission lines that support power distribution and essential public services.
Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police in Gombe State, CP Umar Ahmed Chuso, commended the officers involved in the operation and acknowledged the contribution of community members whose cooperation helped secure the arrest.
Chuso reiterated the command’s commitment to protecting critical national infrastructure and preventing criminal activities capable of disrupting essential services.
He also called on residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements or activities around electricity installations to the nearest police station.
Community participation remains an important aspect of crime prevention, particularly in situations where security agencies depend on local information to identify suspicious activities. The cooperation demonstrated during the operation highlights the importance of maintaining communication between residents and law enforcement authorities.
Meanwhile, the police confirmed that investigations were ongoing, with efforts underway to apprehend the three alleged accomplices. The recovered cables have also been retained as exhibits in connection with the investigation.
Back Story: Rising Concerns Over Electricity Infrastructure Vandalism in Gombe
The latest arrest comes amid broader concerns about the vandalism and theft of electricity infrastructure in Gombe State. The destruction of power installations presents challenges beyond the immediate financial cost of replacing stolen materials.
Electricity cables and transmission equipment are essential components of the power supply network. Their theft can damage public infrastructure, interrupt electricity distribution, increase maintenance expenses and affect businesses and households that depend on a reliable power supply.
On October 23, 2026, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Gombe announced the arrest of another suspect, a 22-year-old man identified as Abdulrahman Ali, over the alleged vandalism of an armoured electricity cable supplying the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited depot in the state.
According to PUNCH’s report on the NSCDC operation, the corps also recovered 968.4 metres of suspected vandalised aluminium power transmission cables abandoned along the Lubo-Zambuk axis in Yamaltu-Deba Local Government Area.
The separate incidents illustrate the continuing security challenges surrounding electricity infrastructure in the state and the need for stronger surveillance, community intelligence and effective law enforcement.
For residents and businesses, protecting these installations is not simply a matter of safeguarding government property. It is also about preserving the infrastructure that supports economic activities and access to essential services.
The police have yet to announce the arrest of Boyi’s alleged accomplices. The investigation remains ongoing, and the allegations against the suspect have not been determined by a court of competent jurisdiction.
