Members of the Sunyani New Town community apprehended three young men on suspicions of attempting to steal underground telecommunication cables. According to an Adom Online report, the residents noticed the activity during the late hours and moved to intercept the suspects before they could complete the removal of the infrastructure.
Witnesses told News Ghana that the suspects were found with various tools used for digging and cutting heavy grade cables. The residents reportedly organized themselves to prevent the suspects from fleeing the scene and subsequently notified the local authorities. There were no immediate reports of injuries during the citizens arrest as the suspects were held until officers arrived.
A spokesperson for the Sunyani District Police Command confirmed the custody of the three individuals in a statement shared by Citi Newsroom. The police indicated that the suspects are being interrogated to identify potential accomplices or buyers of the stolen materials. The names of the suspects have not been officially released pending formal charges in court.
Telecommunication service providers in the Bono Region have frequently raised concerns regarding the theft of underground cables which causes significant service disruptions. Officials from the Ghana Police Service stated that the apprehended individuals will be processed for court once preliminary investigations into the property crime are finalized. The police also commended the residents for following legal procedures by handing over the suspects without resorting to physical violence or mob justice.