Rivers police arrest six suspected transformer vandals, recover exhibits

From Tony John, Port Harcourt

The Rivers State Police Command has made a significant breakthrough in the fight against transformer vandalism by arresting six suspects, including the mediator between the suspected robbers.

State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Grace Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police (SP), in a statement on Monday, said that on 9 January 2025, the Police Command received a petition about the disturbing activities of unknown hoodlums attacking local security guards and vandalising public assets.

Iringe-Koko disclosed that the report suggested that on 3 January 2025, at about 3:00 am, a 1,000KVA transformer worth ₦52,000,000.00 was vandalised and stolen from the NNPCL Estate in Rumuokwurushi, Port Harcourt, by unknown hoodlums after tying up and robbing the local security guards on duty of their phones and money.

The PPRO stated that acting on this information, operatives from the C4i Intelligence Unit, through coordinated operations, apprehended the suspects.

The suspects were:

– Raphael Ngwuebor (52 years), from Umezeoka Community in Ezza LGA, Ebonyi State, an accomplice of the sponsor;
– Christopher Nwagwu (50 years), from Aboh Mbaise LGA, Imo State, who is the end receiver of the stolen transformer;
– Chimene Wagoha (35 years), from Ikwerre, Rivers State, who accompanied the driver and lifted the stolen transformer and drove it to the sponsor’s office;
– Chikodi Ogu (38 years), from Omuma LGA, Rivers State, who assisted the Hiace driver and removed the transformer from the estate;
– Obinna Nwankwo (43 years), from Omuma LGA, Rivers State, the facilitator and mediator between the robbers and the receiver. He also negotiated the purchase price of the transformer, and the sum of ₦10,500,000.00 was paid into his bank account;
– John Aguarar (36 years), from Etche LGA, Rivers State, the sponsor of the illegal transaction. He provided his Hiace van to transport the transformer and kept it in his office before finally selling it.

The stolen transformer was recovered from the suspects.

The PPRO explained: “During interrogation, the suspects confessed to being part of a syndicate specialised in vandalising and stealing transformers and electrical installations in Rivers State.

“The suspects and exhibits are currently in police custody, and investigation is ongoing. Efforts are being intensified to apprehend other members of the syndicate.”