Police Arrest 32-Year-Old Man Over Alleged Transformer Vandalism in Bauchi

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a 32-year-old man, Monday Dauda, over the alleged vandalism of an electricity transformer belonging to the Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JED) in Bogoro Local Government Area.

The suspect was reportedly arrested at about 12:30 a.m. on October 8, 2026, by police operatives attached to the Bogoro Divisional Headquarters during a routine patrol.

According to the police, the officers noticed suspicious movements around a transformer located within the premises of Bogoro General Hospital and approached the area to investigate.

The command said the operatives discovered that the suspect had allegedly removed the transformer’s armoured cable and attached it to a motorcycle, apparently preparing to take it away when he was apprehended.

In a statement issued on Friday, police said the suspect was taken into custody, while the recovered cable and motorcycle were seized as exhibits.

The command added that Dauda allegedly confessed to the offence during interrogation. The allegation remains subject to further investigation and any subsequent court proceedings.

The Commissioner of Police in Bauchi State, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, commended the officers for their vigilance and professionalism during the operation.

Aliyu also reiterated the command’s commitment to protecting critical infrastructure across the state, warning that the police would continue efforts to prevent the destruction and theft of public utilities.

Police spokesperson SP Nafiu Habib said the commissioner had directed that the suspect and the recovered exhibits be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Bauchi for further investigation and prosecution.

The arrest highlights the security challenges associated with protecting electricity infrastructure, whose vandalism can disrupt power supply and affect essential services, including healthcare facilities.