The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command has arrested nine suspects for vandalism of critical national assets and infrastructure (CNAI)
Parading the suspects at the Command headquarters, Abuja, the FCT Commandant, Olusola Odumosu made it known that the operatives of NSCDC FCT Command arrested the suspects while on a routine patrol on October 22, 2024 in different parts of the city.
According to him, four of the nine suspects were caught in the act of vandalizing street lights, bridges, communication mast, armoured cables and other critical assets and infrastructure.
He explained that one of the apprehended suspects, Abdulahi Sani, Male, 24 years from Kukawa LGA of Borno State was caught dismantling and vandalising street lights armoured cables around the Yoruba mosque, Utako.
The second suspect, Ishaku Toma, Male, 32 years of age, was arrested in the act of vandalizing bridge pavements along Kado/Galadimawa road, Idu Industrial area by using a heavy rock to break them in order to extract and steal the reinforcing iron rods.
Also arrested is one Abubakar Habibu, Male, 22 years of age, who was arrested at about 3.40am on Tuesday, 22nd October, around Mabushi Bridge while vigorously digging the ground to unearth and steal the street-lights armoured cables around the bridge.
Daniel Peter, a 24 years old male was also arrested on Tuesday, 22nd October, at the Public Service Institute, Kubwa express road, Abuja, while vandalising armoured cables within the premises.
Odumosu also paraded some exhibits recovered from the Moshood Abiola Stadium by his patrol team who intercepted some vandals in the process of vandalizing telecommunication masts at the package ‘B’ area of the stadium.
“Although the vandals took to their heels upon sighting personnel of the Command, the already dismantled items which includes, two (2) Base Transceiver Station (BTS) cabinets and Seven (7) other Base Transceiver Station (BTS) cabinets, among others were recovered from the bushy environment during a thorough search/combing of the entire vicinity”, he said.
The NSCDC FCT Command helmsman further stated that the arrest of the suspects was made possible by the renewed strategy and operational efficiency of the command.
“The parade of these suspects today and the huge amount of exhibits recovered from them is a testament to the effectiveness of the proactive strategy and intensified patrol by the NSCDC FCT Command to deter vandals and other criminals, as well as to ensure the apprehension of those responsible for such illegalities in the FCT”, the Commandant said.
“The arrest of the suspects was necessitated by the need to not only preserve the integrity of the Critical National Assets and Infrastructure in the FCT but to rid the FCT of vandals and criminal elements destroying, dismantling and carting away public infrastructure such as the street light, manhole cover, bridges and other road infrastructure that was intended to serve the good people of FCT.”
The FCT Commandant hinted that the command made extra efforts to uncover the receivers and beneficiaries of these unlawful activities that are instrumental to the fueling of this criminal enterprise through a useful confession by one of the suspects, leading to the arrest of five (5) buyers of the vandalized items at the Pantaker market in Jabi, Abuja.
He said that further investigations are ongoing to unravel the kingpins behind the activities of the vandals and their buyers, and at the end, those found culpable will be arrested, charged and prosecuted accordingly.
“Vandalism of public infrastructure is not a victimless crime. The damage to public infrastructure affects every resident of the FCT.
“It disrupts the provision of essential services, endangers lives, and places an additional burden on the government’s efforts and resources to replace the stolen assets.”
The Command therefore sends a stern and unequivocal warning to vandals, scavengers also known as ‘Baban-Bola,’ and other criminals that, vandalism of public properties and criminality will not be tolerated within his jurisdiction.
“The Command under my watch remains resolute in its avowed commitment to sanitise and rid the FCT of vandals. We will continue to work tirelessly to protect public infrastructure and maintain peace and security within the territory.
“We urge all residents to remain alert, vigilant and report all suspicious activities of vandals to the Corps.
“Together, we can prevent further damage and ensure that the FCT remains a safe and secure place for all.”
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