The Yobe State Police Command has arrested three suspected members of a vandalism syndicate and recovered suspected stolen electricity cables, transformer components, and vehicles believed to have been used in carrying out the illegal activities.

The arrests, the command said, are part of ongoing efforts to safeguard critical national infrastructure and curb the destruction of public utilities across the state.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Dungus Abdulkarim, said operatives attached to the Gashua Area Command acted on credible intelligence to apprehend one of the suspects, 27-year-old aluminium pot maker, Abubakar Idris, from Sabon Gari in Bade Local Government Area.

According to the statement, Idris was arrested at about 1 p.m. on July 23, 2026, while allegedly transporting suspected stolen electricity cables.

During the operation, officers recovered two large bundles of power cables from the suspect.

The police added that follow-up investigations led to the arrest of two additional suspects identified as Samaila Suleiman, 25, and Ibrahim Ado, 26.

Officers also recovered a tricycle, popularly known as a Keke NAPEP, with registration number 497 DPH, allegedly used to convey the stolen materials, alongside an unregistered Boxer motorcycle believed to have played a role in the operation.

The command disclosed that investigations are ongoing to identify and arrest other suspected members of the syndicate still at large, while efforts are also being made to determine the source and ownership of the recovered items.

Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police, Usman Kanfani Jibrin, reiterated the command’s resolve to combat vandalism and other forms of economic sabotage.

“The Yobe State Police Command has zero tolerance for vandalism, destruction of public infrastructure and other acts of economic sabotage.

“All tactical and investigative units have been directed to intensify efforts to track down all fleeing members of the criminal syndicate to ensure they are arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law,” the commissioner said.

He also appealed to residents to remain vigilant and support security agencies by providing credible and timely information capable of preventing attacks on critical infrastructure and strengthening public safety across the state.