Mathew Amaechi
Police operatives in Anambra State have arrested a 40-year-old man identified as Maduka for allegedly dealing in stolen and vandalised electrical cables in Fegge, Onitsha.
In a statement released on Sunday, the spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the suspect was apprehended on Saturday, June 14, 2025, by officers attached to the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu.
According to Ikenga, the arrest followed credible intelligence about suspicious activities in the area. Upon storming the scene, the operatives reportedly discovered and recovered several bags filled with vandalised copper wires, large quantities of high-tension cables, copper coils, and other transformer components.
“The suspect, Maduka, was arrested around 4:15 p.m. at Fegge, Onitsha,” the police statement read. “He is believed to be a major dealer in stolen and vandalised power infrastructure. The recovered items strongly suggest he is part of a larger syndicate.”
Ikenga further disclosed that Maduka has confessed to supplying the stolen materials to buyers in Ogun and Lagos States. The police are now widening their investigation to uncover the full extent of the network and apprehend additional suspects involved in the illicit trade.
The command assured that further developments would be made public as the investigation progresses.
Vandalism of power infrastructure has become a growing concern in the state, often resulting in prolonged outages and disruptions in power supply. Authorities have called for greater vigilance and community cooperation in reporting suspicious activities that threaten public utilities.
