The Niger State Police Command says it has arrested two men over alleged vandalism of a communication mast in Minna, while a suspected soldier serving as an escort and another accomplice reportedly escaped during their interception along the Paiko-Lapai Road.
Spokesman of the Police, Superintendent Wasi’u Abiodun in a statement gave the names of the suspects as 34-year-old Ogbonna David and 30-year-old Chidiebere Okonkwo, who were arrested on September 20 at Tungan-Mallam Village via Paiko with a stolen vehicle.
Police personnel from Paiko Division mobilised to the area. They intercepted the vehicle, arresting David and Okonkwo as preliminary investigations showed that four persons were in the vehicle, including a suspected soldier allegedly serving as an escort.
The group was reportedly traced to the Brighter area of Minna, where they allegedly vandalised a communication mast and stole solar batteries before attempting to escape towards Abuja.
The police revealed that security personnel along the Lambata Road were alerted during the pursuit, but the suspects allegedly turned back after sighting the security men and diverted through the Paiko-Lapai Road.
They were subsequently intercepted at Tungan-Mallam, according to the command but the suspected soldier and another member of the group fled immediately after the interception, while David and Okonkwo were arrested.
A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of four solar batteries, two Android phones, a keypad phone, two gas cylinders and three pairs of military camouflage.
Other items recovered included a pair of military boots, a green beret, three passport photographs belonging to a military officer, N26,000 in cash, a knife and a bag containing spanners.
The two suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Minna, for further investigation and prosecution, while the police said efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects.
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Editor: Nkoli Omhoudu
