Five members of a syndicate believed to be vandalizing critical national assets and infrastructure such as theft of manhole covers and galvanized iron pipes, have been arrested by the Intelligence and Investigations Crack Squad, (IICS), of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) headquarters in Abuja.
A statement from the Corps Public Relations Officer,(PRO), Olusola Odumosu, says that the five “members of the criminal syndicate were arrested following credible information and surveillance mounted by the Directorate of Intelligence and Investigation (DII) Crack Squad from the National Headquarters of the Corps with the support of other stakeholders”.
Commandant General of the Corps, Associate Professor Ahmed Audi, said the arrest is part of renewed determination aimed at protecting Critical National Assets and Infrastructure (CNAI), in the FCT following massive ongoing vandalisation of manhole covers, bridges and other such infrastructures.
Recall that worried by the incessant vandalism and theft of manhole covers on roads in the FCT, Audi tasked his operatives to redouble their efforts in ending the menace.
He warned vandals to “desist from this nefarious act of vandalising galvanised pipes and aluminum used in the construction and reinforcement of bridges or risk arrest and possible jail terms as security is beefed up around those public utilities by the eagle-eyed operatives of the Corps.”
The CG also called on the citizens to join hands with security agencies in ensuring protection and safety of lives and public infrastructure by giving useful and timely information to the Corps or any of the security agencies once anyone or groups of people are sighted vandalising them.
“Vandalism of bridges constitutes great risks and dangers to the lives of users as they could fall to their untimely deaths unknowingly. A bridge could also collapse once it becomes weakened by the destruction of its various parts which makes it structurally deficient at some points,” he said.
“The government is investing heavily in infrastructural development in the country and has provided bridges amongst other public utilities to ensure safe mode of passages or movements for citizens of different social and economic classes and also, to enrich the environment.”
Items recovered from the suspects who confessed to usually carrying out their operations at night, include 5 inches galvanized pipes (5 mm), angle irons and a hand saw which was used in carrying out the destruction.
It was also revealed that “that most of the suspects are artisans whose activities are domiciled around the crime scene which is located close to the headquarters of Federal Mortgage Bank, Central Business District, Abuja.
“The arrested suspects are Abdullahi Bello, 18, Suleja LGA, Niger State, Julius David Madaki, 18, Sanga LGA, Kaduna State, Gambo Clement, 18, Sanga LGA, Kaduna State, Sadiq Abdullahi, 24, Billiri LGA, Gombe State and Abdulaziz Aliyu 25, Sanga LGA Kaduna State,” the statement contains.
The agency also said that “a discreet investigation into the matter has commenced and would be followed by diligent prosecution of the suspects.
“The Corps is on the trail of other members of the criminal gang who are currently at large and very soon, it’s assured that, they will be arrested and brought to justice.
“Protection of critical national assets and infrastructure is the core mandate of NSCDC and the Corps is determined to deliver alongside other mandates to justify its existence.”
