Police Arrests Five Over Movement Of Two Transformers In Delta Community

By: EMMA ARUBI, Warri

Five suspects have been arrested by the Oleh Police authority in Isoko South LGA of Delta State over the suspicious movement of Uzere Community’s two heavy duty transformers.

Their arrest followed allegations that the community’s 2.5KVA stepdown transformer and another 300/11KVA distribution transformer were sold by the community leadership under Raphael Oderewhu that is currently tearing the serene community apart.

While community leaders maintained that the transformers were being taken away for repairs, some residents allege that they were sold without due consultation.

Trouble began when operatives from the Oleh Police Division intercepted a truck conveying the transformers and arrested five men suspected to be involved in the movement.

Police sources said the suspects claimed to have bought the transformers, prompting the invitation of community leaders for questioning.

According to reports, the leadership explained that the transformers had developed faults and were being taken out for repairs in line with a decision reached during a community meeting.

However, the explanation did not convince some residents, leading to rising suspicion and unrest.

Angry youths reportedly staged a peaceful protest at the Oleh Police Station, demanding the release of the transformers.

It was reliably gathered that The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) have transferred the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Asaba for further investigation.

The President-General of Uzere community, Raphael Oderewhu, was said to have been detained and later granted administrative bail even as investigations continued.

Meanwhile, tension reportedly heightened when the community leadership allegedly imposed a fine of ₦1 million and threatened banishment against those accused of leaking information about the incident.

Fearing possible attacks, several residents are said to have fled the community.

Nonetheless, a post on the Uzere Congress Facebook platform, youth leader, Aboki Dennis called for a thorough and transparent investigation into the matter asserting that the transformers is critical assets provided by the Delta State Government through DESOPADEC and warned against tampering with public electrical infrastructure without authorization from the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).

He commended the police for their swift action as the suspects, vehicle, and recovered transformers had been handed over to the State Police Command for further action.