RIVERS State Police Command said it has made a significant breakthrough in the fight against transformer vandalism, by arresting six suspects including the mediator between the suspected robbers.
State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Grace Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police (SP), in a statement on Monday, said, on January 9, 2025, the Police Command received a petition about the disturbing activities of unknown hoodlums attacking local security guards and vandalizing public assets.
Iringe-Koko disclosed that the report suggested that on January 3, 2025, at about 3:00 am, a 1,000KVA transformer worth ₦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 PPRO stated that acting on this information, operatives from the C4i Intelligence Unit through coordinated operations, apprehended the suspects.
They suspects were, Raphael Ngwuebor (52 yrs), from Umezeoka Community in Ezza LGA, Ebonyi State, an accomplice of the sponsor; Christopher Nwagwu (50 yrs), from Aboh Mbaise LGA, Imo State, who is the end receiver of the stolen transformer and Chimene Wagoha (35 yrs) from Ikwerre, Rivers State, who accompanied the driver and lifted the stolen transformer and drove it to the sponsor’s office.
Others were, Chikodi Ogu (38 yrs) from Omuma LGA, Rivers State, who assisted the Hiace driver and removed the transformer from the Estate; Obinna Nwankwo (43 yrs) 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 N10,500,000.00 was paid into his Bank Account.
The last suspect was John Aguarar (36 yrs) from Etche LGA, Rivers State, the sponsor of the illegal transaction. He gave out his Hiace to transport the transformer and kept same in his office before finally selling it. The stolen transformer was recovered from the suspects.
The PPRO explained: “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.”