The management of Jos Electricity Distribution Plc (JED Plc), Gombe State, on Tuesday met with the Executive Chairman of Yamaltu-Deba Local Government Area, Abubakar Hassan Difa, alongside key security stakeholders, during an emergency security meeting convened to address the rising cases of vandalism of electricity infrastructure within the LGA.
The meeting, held at the council secretariat, was attended by representatives of various security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), as well as local security outfits. Also present were ward heads, community leaders, civil society organisations, members of the media, and electricity committees from different communities across the LGA.
Speaking during the meeting, the Executive Chairman of Yamaltu-Deba LGA said the gathering was necessary to urgently tackle the growing threat posed by vandals to public infrastructure and community safety.
“The increasing spate of vandalism is not only disrupting electricity supply but also undermining development efforts in our communities. This meeting is aimed at finding lasting solutions through collective responsibility and stronger security collaboration,” he added.
JED Head of Corporate Services in Gombe Abdullahi Musa, expressed concern over the repeated destruction of electricity facilities, noting that vandalism continues to affect service delivery and impose huge financial losses on the company and consumers.
“We cannot win this fight alone. The support of security agencies, traditional institutions and the communities themselves is critical if we are to protect these assets meant to serve the people,” Musa stated.
The meeting featured extensive deliberations, with participants offering suggestions on intelligence sharing, community vigilance, and stricter enforcement against offenders.
In a related development, a major breakthrough was recorded following the meeting, as local vigilante groups recovered a large quantity of aluminium conductor cables from suspected vandals during an overnight operation.
Commending the effort, a security source described the recovery as a testament to the vigilance and determination of local security outfits.
“This recovery shows that when communities are alert and security agencies work together, we can significantly reduce vandalism,” the source said.
PERISCOPE NIGERIA reports that stakeholders at the meeting resolved to strengthen collaboration, intensify surveillance, and sustain community engagement to curb vandalism and safeguard critical infrastructure across Yamaltu-Deba LGA.
