Benin’s Republican Police have dismantled a network responsible for the systematic theft of water meters belonging to the National Water Company of Benin (SONEB).
The arrests, made on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, mark a significant breakthrough in curbing what had become a growing nuisance for residents in the capital, Cotonou.
According to information published on the Police’s official digital platforms, the 13th District Police initiated a covert investigation following a surge in complaints from households reporting the sudden and repeated disappearance of water meters from their properties. These thefts had not only disrupted daily water access but also raised concerns about broader urban security.
The investigation, triggered by this wave of incidents, led officers to track the criminal operation to the eastern area of Godomey—an urban zone located on the outskirts of the 13th arrondissement. Police sources indicate that the perpetrators, described as a group of young offenders, had been operating in a coordinated manner, targeting vulnerable residential installations under the cover of night.
“The vigilance and collaboration of local residents were instrumental in enabling us to act quickly,” the Police noted in their online statement. “Our surveillance teams worked discreetly, and after identifying patterns, we were able to intercept members of the group during an attempted theft.”
Authorities have confirmed that several suspects are now in custody, and investigations are ongoing to determine the full extent of the network and its possible links to illegal resale markets. SONEB, meanwhile, has called for increased public awareness and the implementation of protective measures around water meter installations.
This crackdown comes as part of broader efforts by Benin’s security forces to strengthen urban safety and protect critical infrastructure. Residents have welcomed the arrests, hoping it will mark the end of a disruptive wave of petty crime affecting daily life in the city.
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