In a decisive move against the vandalism of critical public infrastructure, the Yobe state Police command has arrested two men for allegedly vandalising a transformer in the Sunomari area of Yusufari town.
The suspects, identified as Kabiru Ibrahim, 23, of Sabon Garin Gashu, and Abubakar Abubakar, 24, of Bade Local Government Area (LGA), were apprehended by operatives from the Yusufari Divisional Police Headquarters, blueprint.ng reports.
They are accused of dismantling the transformer and stealing its components and cables, rendering it severely damaged.
According to a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, Dungus Abdulkarim, the arrest was made based on credible intelligence.
The statement confirmed that the suspects confessed to the crime during interrogation, and an investigation is ongoing to facilitate their prosecution.
The arrest, however, sparked a tense situation as angry youths from the community gathered, attempting to mete out jungle justice.
The mob, outraged by what they described as the suspects’ habitual actions, attempted to lynch the men and set ablaze a motorcycle belonging to one of them.
Condemning the acts of vandalism, the Commissioner of Police, CP Emmanuel Ado, psc, fdc, also issued a strong warning against vigilantism.
He urged the community to remain calm and allow the legal process to run its course, assuring that justice would be served.
“The Command will not condone any form of mob action. We are committed to using due process to ensure justice is served,” CP Ado stated.
He further advised residents to always report suspicious activities to the nearest police station, instead of taking the law into their own hands.