Police Arrest Six Persons Over Alleged Theft of Solar Street Lights in Bayelsa
Operatives of the Bayelsa State Police Command has arrested six persons over their involvement in the alleged cases of vandalism and theft of Solar powered street lights in some parts of the State.
The suspects, according to the Police, were arrested with stolen solar panels and iron cutting equipments and are assisting the police in its investigation to unravel those involvement in buying the stolen items from them.
The State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Francis Idu, while speaking on the spike in cases of vandalism and theft of Solar street lights along the Elebele-AIT road and other lonely road stretch of the State capital, said those arrested will soon be paraded in court.
He also informed that the State Government has assisted the Police command in procuring a high powered long range security drone with for use in day and night patrol surveillance to ensure reduction in crime and criminality.
According to him, ” Vandalism is sabotage. We have discovered that some criminal elements are venting their frustrations on solar lights infrastructures that have kept night life going in the State. And those involved are being monitored and apprehended.”
“Vandalism is sabotage. And the citizens social infrastructure should not be tampered with and destroyed. It is an investment for the people.”
On the need to parade the suspects, the Bayelsa CP called for the review of the restriction against patrolling suspects, saying ” we don’t support dehumanisation of suspects.But those arrested with evidence should be allowed to be paraded as a deterrent to others thinking of towing their line.”
