Police arrest vandal who bought EEDC ladder to scrap seller

A suspected serial vandal, Chidiebere Ohama, who claimed to be from Umuariaga in Ikwuano LGA of Abia State, on Friday escaped lynching after allegedly vandalising and selling a ladder belonging to the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, EEDC.

Ohama, who claimed he was saving the proceeds from his illicit activities to process Libyan travel documents, also admitted to spending the remainder on hard drugs and Indian hemp.

He was apprehended by members of a local vigilante group while attempting to flee the Mission Hill area of Umuahia and was later handed over to officers of the Rapid Response Squad from the Central Police Station, Umuahia, for a comprehensive investigation.

During interrogation, he confessed to dismantling the ladder and selling it to a scrap dealer at New Road, Umuahia.

He also claimed to reside in a dungeon in a forest area known as “Down Below”, alongside other suspected criminals, from where they emerge to steal metal property belonging to both the government and private individuals.

“I take drugs, mainly SK and Igbo (Indian hemp),” Ohama said. “I wanted to use the money from selling stolen items to travel to Libya. I am begging for forgiveness. My father is late, and my mother lives in the village.”

One of the vigilante operatives who apprehended the suspect, Chinonye Ikwuagwu, said residents of the area had been suffering from persistent theft of metal objects and other household property.

Meanwhile, the suspect, whose hands and legs had already been tied by the angry vigilante personnel, was later handed over to the Police Rapid Response Squad.