Abia State police have apprehended two young men suspected of vandalising and stripping government property along a major road corridor, recovering dozens of stolen items including electrical poles and metal components.
Emmanuel Ogonna, 23, and Ifeanychukwu Oko, 25 — both from Lohom, Uzuakoli in Bende Local Government Area — were arrested on June 19 during a stop-and-search operation along the Umuahia-Uzuakoli Road axis.
How the Arrests Were Made
Officers from the Mike Okiro Divisional Police Headquarters acted on intelligence before intercepting the suspects travelling in a commercial tricycle, locally known as a Keke Napep. A search of the vehicle turned up a significant haul of materials believed to have been taken from government infrastructure along the road corridor.
Recovered items included 86 electrical poles, 49 angle irons, two saws, three spanners and three small iron boards — quantities that point to a deliberate and organised operation rather than opportunistic theft.
Suspects Confess, Case Escalates
Both suspects reportedly made confessional statements admitting to the vandalism and theft. Given the scale of the alleged offence, the case has been transferred to the Abia State Criminal Investigation Department for thorough investigation and prosecution.
The development was confirmed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Maureen Chinaka, in a statement issued Tuesday.
Commissioner Calls on Public to Stay Vigilant
Abia Commissioner of Police Danladi Isa used the occasion to reaffirm the command’s dedication to crime prevention and law enforcement. He called on residents across the state to assist security agencies by promptly reporting suspicious individuals or activities to the nearest police station.
The arrest comes amid broader concerns across Nigeria over the theft and destruction of public infrastructure, which continues to hamper development and drive up costs for government repair and maintenance programmes.
