Court remands community leader, two others for stealing community’s motorized solar borehole in Niger

A community leader in Niger State, Abdullahi Inuwa, and two of his subjects have been remanded in custody by the Minna Chief Magistrate Court for allegedly stealing a solar-powered borehole provided by the state government for the benefit of their community.

It was gathered that the government initiative aimed to alleviate water scarcity in the Shanu area of Chanchaga Local Government.

The borehole, valued at ₦5 million, was reportedly vandalized and sold to a scavenger for ₦950,000.

The incident prompted a distress call to the Niger State Police Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Squad, which led to the arrest of the community leader and two others.

The Police Prosecutor, Inspector Bello Mohammed, informed the court that the investigation is still ongoing and that the police are actively pursuing other suspects who remain at large.

According to the First Information Report:

“On the 12th of May, 2025, a formal complaint was lodged before the Minna Chief Magistrate Court Number 1, situated at the High Court Headquarters in Minna, by five members of the community that you, Alhaji Abdullahi Inuwa (Mai Anguwa), Adamu Ibrahim, Isyaku Tanko, Hadiza Ladidi Abubakar, all of Dutsen-Kuran Gwari village, and one Daddy Jamilu, now at large, conspired among yourselves and made away with one motorized solar borehole motor and panels.

“The motorized solar borehole, situated at Kwasau and donated by the Niger State Government for the benefit of the Kwasau community, was sold by you to a scavenger (Dan Gwangwani) for the sum of ₦950,000.”

The defendants were charged with four counts, including criminal conspiracy, mischief, theft, and criminal misappropriation, punishable under Sections 97, 327, 286, and 309 of the Penal Code.

They pleaded not guilty, and the court granted the prosecution’s request for adjournment and remand, pending further investigation and the arrest of the fleeing suspects.

The case has been adjourned to June 27.