A police inspector and two accomplices have been arrested in connection with the vandalism and theft of electricity cables in the Demekpe area of Makurdi.
The incident occurred at approximately 4:00 a.m. on Tuesday. The police officer, identified as Inspector Innocent Ishaku, was apprehended at the scene by local vigilante operatives. His alleged accomplices, identified simply as Isa and Mohammed—residents of a compound owned by a car dealer known as Alhaji Dash—initially fled but were later apprehended following Ishaku’s confession.
A video circulating on social media shows Inspector Ishaku admitting to participating in several cable thefts across Makurdi, particularly in the Wadata axis. He further disclosed that he had been deployed to Benue State from Abuja over a decade ago.
Items recovered from the suspects include bundles of electric cables, F-connectors, and a police identity card bearing Ishaku’s name and photograph, with ID number 309976.
All three suspects have since been transferred to the D Division Police Station in Makurdi for further investigation.
Reacting to the development, Dr. Adakole Elijah, Head of Corporate Communications at the Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JEDC), Makurdi, condemned the incident, raising alarm over the increasing trend of infrastructure vandalism in the state.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer for Benue State, DSP Udeme Edet, said she had not yet been briefed on the arrests but assured that verification and an official statement would follow.
