The Edo State Public Works Volunteers (PUWOV) has apprehended the leader of a suspected armoured cable theft syndicate that has been operating for months within the Benin metropolis.
The PUWOV State Commander, Mukhtar Yusuf-Osagie, who disclosed this to journalists in Benin City, stated that the syndicate specialises in vandalizing and stealing government and private company’s electricity cable in different parts of the metropolis.
He said the suspected syndicate leader was apprehended by the PUWOV team at Ezoti Street, along Airport Road, Benin City, following intelligence reports from a resident.
Yusuf-Osagie, who charged residents to desist from all forms of criminal activities, reassured that PUWOV will sustain partnership with the government and other security agencies to ensure that Edo is safe and crime-free.
According to him, “Our team was recently alerted to the rising incidence of armoured cable theft by a group of suspected criminals, who have been terrorizing the Benin metropolis for several months now.
“In our efforts to ensure a crime-free state, in partnership with the government and other security agencies, we immediately deployed men and resources to high-incident areas in the metropolis to curtail the menace.
“At about 8:55pm on January 26, 2022, an anonymous caller tipped off a PUWOV team about the activities of some criminal elements in the act of electricity cable theft and vandalism. The team immediately invaded the area and apprehended the leader of the theft syndicate while he was busy cutting the armoured cable at Ezoti Street, along Airport Road, Benin City.”
The PUWOV coordinator added, “On interrogation, the suspect who was caught with a handsaw, cutting and removing the cable wire, confessed to have been hired by one Oga Love and Barrister, located at 2nd Zabayo, off Plymouth Road, also in Benin City.”
Yusuf-Osagie however disclosed that the suspect has been handed over to Aideyan Police Division for further investigation and prosecution.
He further admonished members of the public to call: 09150322999 and 08132030846, to report any suspected act of vandalism on government property in their neighbourhood.
