The police command in Akwa Ibom has detained three suspected cable vandals on Obiokpa Street in the Eket Local Government Area of the state.

DSP Timfon John, the state police public relations officer (PPRO), disclosed this in a statement in Uyo on Tuesday.

Ms John said the arrest, at about 4:00 a.m. on February 22, was part of the command’s ongoing efforts to curb economic sabotage and criminal activities across the state.

“The police command in Akwa Ibom has recorded another significant breakthrough in its ongoing crackdown on economic sabotage and criminal conspiracy across the state,” she said.

She explained that intelligence reports indicated that some suspects had been vandalising cables in the early hours of the day, causing economic losses and posing security risks in the area.

Ms John said one suspect was apprehended at the scene during the operation, and exhibits linked to the alleged vandalism were recovered.

She added that further investigation and interrogation led to the arrest of two additional suspects.

The police spokesperson said preliminary findings suggested that the suspects were involved in a coordinated conspiracy to vandalise and unlawfully remove critical infrastructure materials.

She noted that the recovered exhibits had been secured while the suspects remained in custody as investigations continued to uncover the full extent of the network and possible collaborators.

Ms John said the state commissioner of police, Baba Azare, reiterated the command’s zero-tolerance stance against vandalism and other forms of economic sabotage.

“Individuals engaged in the destruction of public and private infrastructure will face the full weight of the law,” she quoted the commissioner.

She added that the command assured residents of Eket and the general public of its commitment to safeguarding critical infrastructure and maintaining law and order across the state.

“Members of the public are encouraged to provide timely and credible information to assist ongoing security operations,” Ms John said.

(NAN)