Police arrest Councillor, village head for selling community transformer

The police in Gombe State have arrested Abdullahi M Panda, the councillor representing Kumo East in Akko local government area of Gombe State and two others for allegedly stealing and selling a transformer belonging to the Majidadi community.

The police paraded the suspects before newsmen after their arrest.

According to the Gombe State Police Commissioner, CP Hayatu Usman, the suspects were arrested following a tip-off.

He said the transformer was sold to one Bello Ardo Kumo for N1.5 million naira adding that police have recovered the transformer and were still investigating the matter after which the suspects would be charged to court.

One of the suspects, the village head, Muhammad Majidadi, explained that the transformer had been idle for ten years and was already stolen, and some of its parts were removed.

He said the community decided to sell the transformer to build an Islamic school and a clinic in the village.

He claimed that he informed the councillor Abdullahi M Panda, about the decision.

But Panda denied any involvement in the sale of the transformer and requested that the matter be taken to court.