Police operatives in Enugu State have arrested three suspected vandals allegedly responsible for stealing high-voltage power cables from electric poles in Aninri Local Government Area. The suspects were intercepted by officers of the Distress Response Squad (DRS) during a routine stop-and-search operation along the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway.
Confirming the arrest in a statement on Thursday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, said the incident occurred at about 4:48 a.m. on October 20, 2025.
He explained that “the operatives recovered several exhibits from the suspects, including lengths of vandalized aluminum cables concealed with cassava leaves, a large cable cutter, two pairs of rubber gloves, a black bag containing clothes, and a white minibus with registration number ENU 450 XK, allegedly used for the operation.”
According to Ndukwe, “preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects — Chukwu Kelvin (25), Kenechukwu Ude (25), and Uche Nwankwo (28) — vandalized the power cables along Ukete Road, Oduma community in Aninri LGA and were transporting them to the New Artisan Market, Enugu, for sale when they were apprehended.
“The suspects have confessed to the crime and will be arraigned in court upon conclusion of investigations,” the police spokesperson stated.
The Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, commended the operatives for their swift action and reaffirmed the Command’s determination to rid the state of vandals and other criminal elements threatening public infrastructure.
“Acts of vandalism against essential public facilities not only sabotage development but also inflict unnecessary hardship on law-abiding citizens. The Command will not relent in fishing out those bent on destroying critical infrastructure and denying people access to social amenities,” CP Giwa warned.
He further urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious persons or movements to the nearest police station, stressing that community collaboration is vital in the fight against crime.
