Mr. Akoji Jonah Jailed Five Years for Vandalising Transformer Cables in Kogi

A court in Lokoja has sentenced Akoji Jonah to five years’ imprisonment for vandalising armoured transformer cables belonging to Kogi State Electricity Development Limited (KEDL).

Jonah was convicted on Monday, October 19, 2026, over the destruction of cables at Biraidu community in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State.

The Kogi State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), which prosecuted the case, announced the conviction in a statement issued on Tuesday by its Public Relations Officer, SC Aliyu Abdullahi.

According to the command, the prosecution concerned the vandalism of critical electricity infrastructure and economic sabotage.

NSCDC commends investigators and legal team

The State Commandant, Aletan Olumide Ebenezer, welcomed the verdict and commended the command’s Legal Unit, led by DCC Ike F. Ugochukwu, for its handling of the prosecution.

He attributed the outcome to the investigation conducted by intelligence and investigation personnel, saying their work provided the foundation for the legal team to present its case.

Ebenezer described the sentence as a deterrent to individuals and groups involved in destroying electricity installations, public utilities and other critical national assets.

The emphasis on infrastructure protection echoes issues highlighted in a previous report on NSCDC operations against vandalism and the protection of national assets.

Protecting electricity installations

The commandant warned that attacks on electricity infrastructure could disrupt power supply, undermine economic activity and threaten public safety.

Protecting existing installations is particularly important as communities receive additional power infrastructure. The Bureau Journal previously reported on the approval of four 500KVA transformers for Ejule community to improve electricity supply and support economic activities.

Ebenezer said the NSCDC would sustain intelligence-led operations to identify vandals and bring offenders to justice while protecting critical national assets across Kogi State.

Residents urged to report suspicious activities

The command urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities around transformers, electricity installations and other public facilities to the appropriate security agencies.

The call for reporting suspects through official channels also follows Senator Isah Jibrin’s demand for an investigation into an alleged vigilante killing over cable theft in Ankpa. That separate case concerns an allegation of theft and suspected extrajudicial violence, rather than a court conviction.