Police arrest 6 cable thieves
The six young men whose ages range from 20 years to 42 years were arrested in the act by a team of policemen from the Area A, Lion Building, Lagos who were on patrol at about 2am last week Monday. The cable thieves gave their names as Samuel Yakubu, 28, Sulaimon Garuba 20, Tajudeen Sakiru […]
The six young men whose ages range from 20 years to 42 years were arrested in the act by a team of policemen from the Area A, Lion Building, Lagos who were on patrol at about 2am last week Monday. The cable thieves gave their names as Samuel Yakubu, 28, Sulaimon Garuba 20, Tajudeen Sakiru 28, Dozie Okpara, 25, and Danjuma Yakubu who could not tell how old he was. The last member of the stealing team who has been claiming innocence is Kalma Kareem, 42, the driver and owner of the commercial bus used in the operation.
According to the Lagos state police spokesperson, Superintendent Frank Mba, the patrol team smelt a rat when they noticed that the occupants of the bus were driving in a very suspicious manner and at that odd hour of the day. When the patrol team beckoned on the men who were driving recklessly and at neck-breaking speed to stop for a search, the young men were said to have increased their speed, trying desperately to evade being arrested by the policemen. However, they ran out of luck as they were rounded up after a hot chase by the police and on searching their Toyota commercial bus with registration number XM 762 LND, the officers discovered NITEL cables, neatly packed inside the bus. The men were subsequently arrested and taken to the Area A Lion building for interrogation.
Speaking with our correspondent, the leader of the cable stealing network revealed their modus operandi and why they are involved in such business deals. According to 28-years-old Samuel Yabuku who confessed that he regretted his action, claimed to have been a petty trader before things took a downward turn few months ago, he was forced to contact some of his friends who were enjoying their lives despite the economic trend in the country and they introduced him to the cable stealing network which they claimed has been fetching them cool money.
Stolen telecommunications cables are taken to various markets within and outside Lagos where they have receivers who will buy the cables from them on kilogramms basis. Some of the end markets mentioned are Marina market, Orile market and Agege market.
The police spokesperson maintained that the young men will be charged to court as soon as police has concluded all its investigation into the case.”They will be charged for stealing and conspiracy, an offence that attracts nothing less than 21 years behind bars”.