Two suspected Jigawa streetlight, transformer vandals arrested

The Jigawa State Police Command has arrested two suspects over the alleged vandalism of a streetlight cable in Gwaram Local Government Area and an electrical transformer in the Auyo Local Government Area of the state.

The arrests were disclosed in a statement in Dutse on Sunday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Shi’isu Adam.

Adam said the first suspect, Aminu Musa, 38, of New Gwaram Town, Gwaram LGA, was arrested on September 25, 2026, at about 1am for allegedly cutting the armoured cable of a streetlight.

“The suspect, who is an operator of a streetlight generator in the area, was arrested by police operatives while committing the act,” the statement said.

He added that the suspect was taken to the police station, while operatives visited the scene and recovered relevant exhibits.

According to the PPRO, preliminary investigations were conducted, and the case was subsequently charged to court for prosecution.

In a separate incident, the police received information on September 29, 2026, at about 3.30pm that residents of Ayan village in Auyo LGA had apprehended a suspected vandal.

The suspect, identified as Laminu Sha’aibu, 26, of Gumusuwa village, Kafin Hausa LGA, was reportedly arrested at Maskangayu village in Auyo LGA with vandalised transformer coils and was about to be lynched by a mob.

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Adam said police operatives rushed to the scene after receiving the report, rescued the suspect and took him to the nearest primary health centre for medical attention.

He added that the suspect was treated and discharged, while the recovered transformer coils were taken into police custody.

“During investigation, the suspect stated that he had spent three nights dismantling the transformer without being detected,” Adam said.

The police spokesman said the command had conducted investigations to establish the circumstances surrounding the incidents and determine whether other persons were involved.

He confirmed that both cases had been charged before the appropriate court for prosecution.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Tijjani Murtala, commended members of the public whose timely information assisted the police in apprehending the suspects.

The commissioner urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities, particularly attempts to vandalise electricity installations, streetlights and other public facilities.

He assured residents that the command would continue to work with communities and other relevant stakeholders to protect public property and ensure that those responsible for criminal acts were brought to justice.