BIRNIN KEBBI — The Kebbi State Police Command has recovered a substantial quantity of electricity service cables allegedly stolen from power infrastructure in Bunza Local Government Area and arrested a suspect in connection with the incident.
The recovery was carried out on August 25, 2026, during a police operation in the Kara area of Bunza town, where security personnel were acting on concerns over the continued theft and vandalism of electricity infrastructure. The operation resulted in the recovery of 10 bundles and seven sacks of electricity service cables, according to the command.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bashir Usman, who said the operation formed part of ongoing efforts to tackle the vandalism of critical infrastructure in the state.
Police identified the arrested suspect as Mustapha Abubakar, who was taken into custody in connection with the recovered cables. The command said he was subsequently arraigned before a court as investigations into the alleged vandalism continued.
The police said the repeated theft and destruction of electricity infrastructure had caused serious disruption to communities in the area, with the damage reportedly contributing to prolonged interruptions in power supply. The command described the situation as one that had plunged several communities into darkness and affected residents who depend on the electricity network.
The recovery therefore represents an intervention against a form of infrastructure crime that can have consequences beyond the immediate loss of cables. When electricity service lines are removed or damaged, communities can lose access to power while electricity providers face additional costs replacing damaged infrastructure and restoring affected connections.
Commissioner of Police CP Umar M. Hadejia said the command would maintain its focus on protecting critical national assets and pursuing individuals and criminal networks involved in their theft or destruction.
“The Command will continue to dismantle the activities of individuals and criminal networks responsible for the theft and vandalism of critical national infrastructure,” Hadejia said.
The commissioner warned that people involved in such activities would be prosecuted, adding that perpetrators of the theft and vandalism of critical infrastructure would face the full weight of the law.
The police leadership also appealed to residents to assist security agencies by providing information about suspicious movements and activities within their communities. The appeal is aimed at improving early detection of infrastructure-related crimes and helping officers respond before further damage is done.
Members of the public with information about suspected criminal activity have been urged to contact the command through 09039911876 or 07081974395. The Commissioner of Police assured members of the public that information provided would be treated with strict confidentiality.
The latest recovery comes as the police command continues to focus on the protection of infrastructure considered essential to the daily functioning of communities. Electricity cables and related installations are particularly vulnerable to theft and vandalism because they can be removed and sold, while their destruction can simultaneously disrupt services to large numbers of residents.
For communities affected by damaged electricity infrastructure, the consequences can include extended periods without power and disruption to businesses and household activities. The police recovery in Bunza consequently has significance beyond the quantity of cables recovered, as it forms part of the wider effort to prevent criminal activity from undermining electricity distribution.
With Abubakar already arraigned, the case will now proceed through the appropriate legal process. The recovered cables remain central to the police investigation into the alleged vandalism, while the command has reiterated that it will continue pursuing those responsible for attacks on critical infrastructure.
The Kebbi Police Command is also relying on cooperation from residents to strengthen its response. By encouraging communities to report suspicious activity and movements promptly, the command said it hopes to improve intelligence gathering and prevent further incidents of electricity infrastructure theft and vandalism across the state.
Police Recover Stolen Electricity Cables in Kebbi, Arrest Suspected Vandal
