The Gombe State Police Command has apprehended Mohammed Majidadi, the village head of Garin Majidadi in Kumo Akko Local Government Area, for allegedly stealing and selling a community transformer. Alongside Majidadi, Abdullahi Panda, a councillor representing Kumo East, and Muhammad Sani of Sarkin Yaki Quarters were also arrested.
Police spokesperson Buhari Abdullahi, while presenting the suspects, stated that credible intelligence reports from the Akko Division led to their arrest and the recovery of the stolen transformer from Garin Majidadi village. “It was discovered during the investigation that the transformer was sold to Bello Ardo Kumo for N1.5 million,” Abdullahi revealed.
Majidadi, in his defense, explained to the press that the transformer had been faulty for over a decade, with parts stolen by miscreants. He mentioned that a community meeting was held where it was agreed to sell the transformer and use the proceeds to drill boreholes. “We were in the process of finding a buyer when the police arrested us,” Majidadi stated.
However, Councillor Abdullahi Panda denied authorizing the sale, claiming he had instructed Majidadi to document the plan and inform the district head before proceeding.