The Rivers State Police Command has recovered a stolen 1,000KVA transformer worth ₦52 million and arrested six suspects linked to the theft.
The police spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, revealed this in a statement on Monday, explaining that the suspects were part of a syndicate that specialises in vandalising and stealing transformers.
According to Iringe-Koko, the police received a petition on January 9, 2025, about criminals attacking security guards and damaging public assets.
The report stated that on January 3, 2025, around 3:00 am, the transformer was stolen from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited Estate in Rumuokwurushi, Port Harcourt.
Acting on the information, officers from the C4i Intelligence Unit launched an operation that led to the arrest of six suspects. The arrested individuals are:
– Raphael Ngwuebor, 52, from Ebonyi State
– Christopher Nwagwu, 50, from Imo State
– Chimene Wagoha, 35, from Rivers State
– Chikodi Ogu, 38, from Rivers State
– Obinna Nwankwo, 43, from Rivers State
– John Aguarar, 36, from Rivers State
“The suspects confessed to being part of a group that vandalises and steals transformers. They also admitted to carrying out similar crimes in different parts of Rivers State,” Iringe-Koko said.
She added that the stolen transformer had been recovered and that investigations were ongoing to arrest other members of the gang.
The police urged residents to report any suspicious activities related to transformer vandalism, assuring them that all information would be treated confidentially.
The command also thanked the public for their support in helping to track down the criminals.
