The Gombe State Police Command has arrested the Councillor representing Kumo East in Akko local government area of the state, Abdullahi Panda and two others for allegedly stealing and selling a transformer belonging to the Majidadi community.
Parading the suspects before newsmen after their arrest on Monday, the Gombe State Police Commissioner, Hayatu Usman, said the suspects were arrested following a tip-off.
Usman said the transformer was sold to one Bello Ardo Kumo for N1.5 million naira, adding that police have recovered the transformer and are still investigating the matter after which the suspects would be charged in court.
One of the suspects, the village head, Muhammad Majidadi, explained that the transformer had been idle for ten years with some of its parts already vandalized and stolen.
He said the community decided to sell the transformer to build an Islamic school and a clinic in the village.
Majidadi claimed that he informed the Councillor about the decision but Panda denied any involvement in the sale of the transformer and requested that the matter be taken to court.
