High rate of solar panels’ theft worries Nasarawa residents

Thieves of street light solar panels and batteries are having a field day in Lafia, the capital of Nasarawa State, Daily Trust gathered.

Many residents and motorists said solar street lights’ poles mounted on steel pipes have been vandalized by thieves.

A resident, Musa Abubakar, said, “The panels have been removed alongside the batteries which were installed for public use at public expense by the state government.

“They are supposed to light the roads in the night, as it is done in most cities in Nigeria, but some bad elements have been stealing them.”

A motorist, Alex Adam said, “It is sad how thieves have been stealing the items mounted on about 15 to 20 meters metal pipes.

“It is surprising how the thieves mount or use ladder to unlock the padlocked battery cases or undo the metal bolts and knots used on the solar panels to steal them and take them to their receivers without being caught.”

When contacted, the spokesman for the police in the state, ASP Samaila Usman, said the command was very disturbed over the menace.