By Golok Nanmwa, JOS
Three suspects have been arrested by the police over alleged vandalism and theft of critical water infrastructure belonging to the Plateau State Municipal Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (PLAMWASSA) in Shendam Local Government Area of the state.
The agency said the suspects were arrested following an investigation into the theft of an office safe from its Business Office in the GRA area of Shendam in the early hours of Saturday, July 11, 2026.
The General Manager of PLAMWASSA, Geologist Jelkyes Dakat, said preliminary investigations linked the suspects not only to the theft of the safe but also to previous attacks on the agency’s facilities in the area.
Dakat described the arrests as a major breakthrough in efforts to dismantle what he alleged was an organised syndicate involved in the vandalism of public water infrastructure across Plateau State.
According to him, the suspects were first noticed after a woman attending a burial ceremony near the agency’s business office observed their suspicious movements around the premises.
“The woman became suspicious of their activities and asked them to leave the area. Later that night, they returned and attempted to remove equipment from the premises. She immediately raised the alarm, prompting the Plant Manager to mobilise residents, who apprehended the suspects and handed them over to soldiers at a nearby military checkpoint for preliminary investigation,” he said.
Dakat said further investigations revealed that the suspects were allegedly connected to the theft of two 200KVA step-down transformers at the agency’s Raw Water Intake Site and the vandalism of a 500KVA transformer at the Shendam Water Treatment Plant.
He added that the suspects had also led investigators to locations where some stolen equipment was allegedly sold, noting that investigations were ongoing at the Shendam Police Division to identify other members of the suspected syndicate and their accomplices.
“We believe this is an organised cartel that has been operating for some time. The investigation has already produced useful information, and we are optimistic that everyone connected with these criminal activities will be brought to justice,” Dakat said.
He lamented that repeated attacks on PLAMWASSA facilities had caused significant financial losses and disrupted efforts to provide safe and reliable water supply to residents.
The general manager said vandalism of public water infrastructure undermines government investment and affects thousands of people who rely on the facilities for access to potable water.
Dakat commended the woman whose alert led to the arrest of the suspects, describing her action as an example of the importance of community involvement in protecting public assets.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities around public facilities to security agencies.
Dakat assured that PLAMWASSA would continue to collaborate with law enforcement agencies to protect critical infrastructure and ensure that those responsible for the vandalism face the law.
