power cables theft arrested

Vigilante, two others arrested for theft of power cables

May 22, 2014

The police in Asaba, Delta State have arrested three suspected armed robbers who used charms for their operations.

The three, Chiboy Chinonso, Nnanna Ekwealor and Emeka Ogugua, all residents of Asaba, according to the police, had broken into the premises of Asaba premises of Benin Electricity Distribution company and stolen armoured cables worth N9.2 million.

The Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Celestina Kalu, told reporters on Thursday while parading the suspects that other members of the gang were still at large.

During a search at the home of one of the suspects, a box of charms smeared with animal blood, was recovered.

The suspect, Chiboy, said they usually depended on the fetish, which apparently failed them, for successful operations.

The PPRO said, “Sequel to the report (from BEDC), detectives commenced investigation by arresting the security guards for interrogation during which one of the guards, one Emeka Ogugua posted to the company from Asaba Community vigilance group who earlier denied his involvement opened up and confessed to the crime.

“His confession led to the arrest of Chiboy Chinonso and Nnanna Ekwealor who have equally confessed to the crime.”

Items recovered by the police from the suspects include the stolen armoured cables, the tipper lorry used in conveying the exhibits and N80,000.

One of the suspects, Nnanna Ekwealor, who said he is a tipper driver, told our correspondent that he was not a member of the gang. He said he was contracted to tip sand for the other suspects at a spot in Asaba.
He said after tipping the sand at 8pm, the suspects detained him and asked him to transport the stolen cable with his tipper.

The PPRO said the suspects will be charged to court after thorough investigation.