Thirteen vandals specialized in unearthing solar electrical cables and other Critical National Assets and Infrastructure (CNAI), during heavy downpours have been arrested by operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC).

Parading the suspects at the national headquarters of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), command of the agency yesterday in Abuja, Commandant FCT command, Dr. Olusola Odumosu, explained that the stock in trade of the vandals was vandalizing infrastructures in the dead of nights and especially during heavy rains as they easily pull out the cables.

Dr. Odumosu explained that men of his command were able to arrest the suspects following extensive intelligence-gathering training on the activities of vandals as well as intelligence gathering among others.

“We have 13 suspects arrested in different parts of FCT between Saturday, 7th September 2024 and the early hours of Monday, 9th September, 2024.

“Following intense surveillance and patrol as well tip off, the intelligence personnel working with the Critical National Assets and Infrastructure Department combed various parts of the city,” he said.

Those arrested include Bitrus Obadiah, male, 33 years from Obi Local Government Area (LGA), of Nasarawa state and his partner Msugh Peter, Male, 32 years from Giwer LGA of Benue state were nabbed by 2 am on Sunday, 8th September 2024 around Kukwaba 1 railway’s overhead bridge on Berger area 1 expressway vandalizing streetlight cables and billboards.

Another team consisting of one Auwal Umar, Male, 42 years from Kontagora LGA of Niger State, Jacob Jibut, male, 39 years from Kanke LGA of Plateau State and Abdulfatai Aliyu, male, 22 years from Batsari LGA of Katsina state were also caught in the act of vandalizing armored electrical cables along Nnamdi Azikiwe way, opposite wonderland around 3:30 am of the same day.

Also, Timothy Maigida, male, 28 years from Kachia LGA of Kaduna state was caught in the act of vandalization armored cables at Mabuchi Motor Park on Sunday, 8th September 2024. Exhibits recovered from him are a shovel, diggers, and armored cables. He confessed to the crime.

Williams Friday, male, 51 years from Ojo LGA of Lagos State, and Sunday Ezekiel, male, 27 years from Kabba Local Government of Kogi State were caught jumping the fence into Hilton Garden premises at Wuse Zone 5 around 4.30 am on Saturday, 7th they are suspected of having criminal intentions.

Others are Lawal Harisu, male 29 years from Sabuwa LGA of Katsina State, Mohammed Yakubu male 24 years from Dandume LGA State and Mohammed Zayyanu Auwal, male 27 years from Chikum LGA of Kaduna State were apprehended at 9.01 pm on 8th September 2024 at Prince and Princess Estate vandalizing iron rods from slabs.

Other exhibits confiscated from the suspects include three motorcycles, eleven shovels, eight diggers, a wrench, a hack saw, three cutlasses, pieces of iron rods, Indian Hemp, a water pump, and iron billboards.

Items recovered were two pliers, five hoes, two knives, a private guards kit, a generator, a water hose, and perimeter fencing wire.