The Rivers State Police Command said its operatives have nabbed a three-man syndicate, which specialises in vandalising streetlights and carting away its parts, in the Borikiri axis of Port Harcourt.
The police further said the streetlights were facilities provided for the community by the Niger Delta Development Commission.
The spokesperson of the command, Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police said the operatives made the arrest after it received credible information from some leaders of the community.
The statement partly reads, “Acting on information provided by Community leaders in Borokiri, Operatives from Borokiri Division arrested three young men, namely: Belema Aggo, Michael Edet, and George Itarikabo in the act of vandalising street lights provided for the community by the NDDC.
“Suspects and exhibits, which include eight solar panels, eight heavy-duty batteries and two street lights, recovered are in Police custody.
“Investigation is ongoing to apprehend other members of the gang, as well as receivers of previously stolen items.”
In another development, the police said its anti-cultism unit while on routine stop and search along the Polo Club by GRA, Port Harcourt arrested a suspected armed robber who hid a revolver pistol in his car.
The statement read, “The anti-cultism unit of the Command accosted a Mazda 323 with Reg. No. SKP 990 PM driven by one Covenant Okon, 26 suspected to be an armed robber.
“Upon search, one revolver pistol, with one live ammunition was recovered from him. The suspect and exhibits are in police custody while investigation is in progress, with a view to apprehending other members of his group.”
The state police image maker called on members of the public to assist the police by providing useful information in the event of any suspicious movement or activity.
“We, therefore, call people and residents of the state to remain supportive, law-abiding, vigilant and promptly report acts of crime and criminality to the nearest police station,” Iringe-Koko added.
