Four alleged vandals were detained in the state's Babura Local Government Area (LGA) by Jigawa's Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Dutse received confirmation of the arrest from the corps' Public Relations Officer (PRO), CSC Adamu Shehu, on Monday.
The suspects, who are between the ages of 18 and 20, and who live in the Kazaure LGA's Tsoho Kafi Area, were reportedly detained for alleged crimes of conspiracy, vandalism, and theft.
He explained that on February 16 at Titin Tanda Street, Akula Quartets in Babura LGA, vandals broke into and stole 70 metres of 16mm 4 core armoured cable, which was found in the custody of the suspects.
The Jigawa State Ministry of Works and Transport, according to the PRO, was the rightful owner of the cable that was stolen.
“On Feb. 16 at about 6.00a.m., our officers in Babura received a distress call from a good samaritan living in the area who sighted the suspects at about 2.30a.m. while committing the crime.
“They were later apprehended and arrested by security personnel in collaboration with the residents of the area while hiding in the surrounding bushes,” he said.
Shehu said that the cable was estimated to be worth N630,000 with each metre costing N9,000.
He further said that an investigation into the case was ongoing to ascertain whether the suspects were culpable for the recent vandalism and theft of armoured cables at various water plants as well as streetlights in Kazaure, Maigatari and Sule Tankarkar Local Government Areas of the state.
The PRO said the offences contravened and were punishable under Section 1(9) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, and Sections 96, 97, 286 and 287 of the Penal Code Law.
He said the suspects would be charged in court upon the completion of the investigation.
Shehu quotes the NSCDC Commandant in the state, Musa Alhaji, as appealing to residents to be vigilant and report acts of vandalism and any form of crime and criminality to the nearest security formation in their communities. (NAN)