Rivers police recover ₦52m stolen transform from vandals

Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command have smashed a syndicate specialising in transformer vandalism and theft, recovering a stolen 1,000KVA transformer worth ₦52 million.

The operation was disclosed in a press release signed by SP Grace Iringe-Koko, the Police Public Relations Officer, Rivers State Police Command, on Monday.

According to Iringe-Koko, the police received a petition on January 9, 2025, about the disturbing activities of unknown hoodlums attacking local security guards and vandalizing public assets.

The petition revealed that on January 3, 2025, at about 0300hrs, a 1,000KVA transformer worth ₦52 million was vandalised and stolen from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited Estate in Rumuokwurushi, Port Harcourt.

She said, acting on the information, operatives from the C4i Intelligence Unit launched a coordinated operation that led to the arrest of six suspects involved in the theft.

The suspects include Raphael Ngwuebor, 52, from Umezeoka Community in Ezza LGA, Ebonyi State; Christopher Nwagwu, 50, from Aboh My Side LGA, Imo State; Chimene Wagoha, 35, from Ikwerre, Rivers State; Chikodi Ogu, 38, from Omuma LGA, Rivers State; Obinna Nwankwo, 43, from Omuma LGA, Rivers State; and John Aguarar, 36, from Etche LGA, Rivers State.

According to the police, the suspects confessed to being part of a syndicate specialising in transformer vandalism and theft. They also revealed that they had been involved in several transformer thefts in Rivers State.

The stolen transformer was recovered from the suspects, and they are currently in police custody. Investigation is ongoing, and efforts are being intensified to apprehend other members of the syndicate.

The police urged anyone with information about transformer vandalism and theft to come forward and assist in the investigation.

The Command also appreciated the cooperation and support of the public, which led to the successful arrest of the suspects and recovery of the stolen transformer.