In a significant breakthrough against the theft of national infrastructure, the Ghana Police Service has successfully recovered more than 100 tonnes of stolen service cables belonging to the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG). The operation, which took place in Tema, also led to the arrest of 10 suspects and the discovery of approximately 70 workers actively involved in dismantling the stolen cables.
The Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), COP Lydia Yaako Donkor, shared details of the operation during a press briefing held on Monday, March 9, 2026. She described the raid as a pivotal step in addressing the systemic theft of critical national assets.
Details of the Operation
The operation was conducted on March 4, 2026, at around 3:30 p.m. by the CID Headquarters Operations Unit in collaboration with officials from the Ministry of Energy. Acting on intelligence, law enforcement officers targeted the premises of Central Company, located in the Kpone Industrial Area.
Upon arrival at the site, police discovered a large-scale operation where approximately 70 workers were actively cutting and stripping ECG service cables. The stripped metal components were being compressed into metal blocks, which authorities suspect were intended for export. The volume and condition of the recovered cables pointed to a well-organized and sustained effort to target ECG infrastructure.
Arrests and Suspects
The police arrested 10 individuals during the operation, including two Ghanaian nationals — Samuel Ekpe and Priscilla Pagui — and eight Chinese nationals who are believed to hold managerial roles within the company. The Chinese suspects have been identified as Yu Xiaoting, He Jing, Xu Changju, Li Lei, Chen Jing, Zheng Ma, Wang Jian, Bin Bin, and Zheng Yiqin.
To ensure the integrity of the ongoing investigation, police have stationed a 24-hour guard at the premises to prevent the removal or tampering of evidence.
Impact on National Infrastructure
COP Donkor emphasized the severe consequences of such thefts on Ghana's electricity supply. "The theft and illegal export of ECG cables have directly affected electricity supply across communities, businesses, and public institutions," she stated. The loss of such critical infrastructure not only disrupts daily life but also imposes significant financial burdens on the state.
A Call for Public Vigilance
The Ghana Police Service has reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding national assets in collaboration with relevant state agencies. COP Donkor urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report any information regarding the theft of public infrastructure to their nearest police station or through the police emergency line at 191.
ECG Maintenance Efforts
In a related development, ECG announced that separate maintenance exercises are currently underway in the Accra West and Accra East regions. Engineers are conducting infrastructure upgrades expected to last throughout the working day as part of efforts to enhance electricity supply reliability.
Conclusion
This successful operation underscores the importance of coordinated efforts between law enforcement agencies and state institutions in combating crimes that threaten national development. The Ghana Police Service's decisive action serves as a stern warning to individuals and entities engaging in such illegal activities. As investigations continue, it is hoped that justice will prevail, and measures will be implemented to prevent similar incidents in the future.
-By Tetteh Belinda | GhanaCrimes
