By Fanen Ihyongo,The Nation
Copyright thenationonlineng
The Kano/Jigawa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has arrested four suspects who allegedly used a school bus to vandalise high-voltage power conductors valued at ₦5.33 million.
Briefing journalists at the Customs House in Kano, the Area Controller, Comptroller Dalhat Abubakar, said the suspects were intercepted on September 11 during a routine patrol.
Recovered items included 13 bundles of vandalised 155-millimetre aluminum conductors measuring 1,771 metres, 73 bundles of firewood used to conceal the cables, a cutting plier, vehicle registration papers, and ₦250,000 in cash allegedly offered as a bribe.
Abubakar explained that the suspects disguised the act using a box-body wagon marked as a school-board vehicle. He noted that the vandalism deprived communities of water and electricity, causing health and safety risks.
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He stressed the need for stronger collaboration among government agencies to safeguard critical infrastructure, warning that such acts lead to costly repairs, insecurity, and loss of public trust.
The four suspects and the seized items were handed over to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for further investigation and prosecution in line with Section 55 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.
NSCDC Kano Commandant Bala Bawa Bodinga commended the Customs Service for the arrest, describing it as a product of “scientific, kinetic collaboration and synergy.” He assured that the Corps would conduct a thorough investigation and prosecute the suspects if found guilty.
