NSCDC Arrests Five Suspected Vandals in Abuja

By Vin Oliji, Abuja

Operatives of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command arrested five suspected vandals at two different locations in Abuja city center.

Two of the suspects were arrested around Wuse Market Bridge with iron poles by the operatives of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure (CNAI) Department of the Command on routine patrol.

The duo were trailed from the Arts and Culture Complex, Area 10, Garki, Abuja where they had vandalized the iron poles and were moving it to where they would sell a buyer. They are currently giving useful information that will lead to the arrest of the buyers.

In a similar development, operatives of the anti-vandal unit of the Command acting on a tip-off arrested three suspected vandals around Durumi 2 pantaker market also in Abuja.

The suspects were arrested at about midnight while attempting to move suspected stolen and vandalized items to the place where they would be sold.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects are part of a syndicate and are always in possession of items suspected to have been vandalised or stolen.

The items recovered from them include three Electronic bill boards, two Solar batteries, one Gas cylinder, one Generator set, one Refrigerator gas cylinder, one Iron hammer, one Big Iron scissors, one Air Conditioner gas pipe, Abuja vehicle plate number, two Iron Pinches, one Machete, and two plastic drums.

According to findings, buyers come to the location where they were arrested at ungodly hours with trucks to buy the items and convey them to destinations yet to be known.

The FCT Commandant of NSCDC, Olusola Odumosu, called for the regulation of pantaker markets in the FCT as they have become notorious places where vandalised and stolen items are sold.

“If we must rid the FCT of scavengers and vandals who are sabotaging the efforts of the government on infrastructural development, then there is an urgent need to regulate pantaker markets in the Federal Capital Territory.

“Majority of stolen and vandalized items from road and railway corridors, including household items as well as electrical installations find their way into the hands of waiting buyers at the pantaker markets and this has become increasingly worrisome,” he said.

Investigation is currently ongoing to ensure that justice is served and the perpetrators of these heinous crimes would be held accountable and made to face the full wrath of the law.