NSCDC arrests nine for vandalism, recovers cable, others

Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have arrested nine individuals for vandalizing Critical National Assets and Infrastructure (CNAI), including street lights, bridge iron rods, communication masts, armoured cables, and others in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

FCT Commandant of the agency, Dr. Olusola Odumosu, who paraded the suspects (all males) yesterday at the command’s headquarters in Abuja, said the vandals, alongside those purchasing the stolen items from them, were arrested in different parts of the city with various exhibits.

The arrest, according to him, is a result of the 24-hour surveillance over infrastructure by the NSCDC FCT team, with a view to curbing vandalism within the metropolis.

He said, “As part of the NSCDC FCT Command’s ongoing efforts, we are here today to parade suspected vandals of critical national assets and infrastructures, as well as the buyers of these vandalized public properties, who were arrested by the operatives of the Command at various locations within the FCT.

“I hereby present a total of nine (09) suspects, four (4) of whom are vandals of critical national assets and infrastructures, while the other five (5) suspects are the illicit buyers. Four (4) of the nine suspects arrested were caught in the act of vandalizing critical assets and infrastructure.”

Dr. Odumosu noted with dismay the continuous attacks and vandalization of CNAI by scavengers, popularly called Baban Bola, warning that none would be spared in the ongoing efforts to secure the FCT from criminal elements.

He said, “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 under my watch remains resolute in its avowed commitment to sanitize and rid the FCT of vandals. We will continue to work tirelessly to protect public infrastructure and maintain peace and security within the territory.

While calling for public support in ending the cycle of vandalism, the commander said, “We urge all residents to remain alert, vigilant, and report all suspicious activities of vandals to the authorities. Together, we can prevent further damage and ensure that the FCT remains a safe and secure place for all.”

Among those arrested is 24-year-old Abdulahi Sani, male, from Kukawa Local Government Area (LGA) of Borno State. He was caught in the act of dismantling and vandalizing street light armoured cables around Yoruba Mosque, Utako, FCT.

The second suspect, 32-year-old Ishaku Toma, male, was arrested in the act of vandalizing bridge pavements along Kado/Galadimawa road, Idu Industrial Area, by using a heavy rock to break them, extract, and steal reinforcing iron rods.

Also among those arrested is Abubakar Habibu, 22 years old, who was caught while vigorously digging the ground to unearth and steal the street-light armoured cables around the bridge, while Daniel Peter, a 24-year-old male, was also arrested on 22nd October at the Public Service Institute, Kubwa Express Road, Abuja, while vandalizing armoured cables within the premises. All the suspects are male.

The five (5) suspects who are buyers of the stolen items are Auwal Ibrahim, 35 years, from Dala LGA of Kano State; Abubakar Ashamu, 25 years, from Dala LGA of Kano State; and Yusuf Isah, 34 years, from Zaria LGA of Kaduna State. Others are Salisu Umar, 30 years, from Dala LGA of Kano State, and Odinaka Chukwu, 51 years, from Orlu LGA of Imo State. All the suspects are male.

The NSCDC patrol team has also intercepted some vandals in the process of vandalizing telecommunication masts at the ‘B’ parking area of the Moshood Abiola Stadium.

Although the vandals took to their heels upon sighting personnel of the Command, they left behind already dismantled items, which include two (2) Base Transceiver Station (BTS) cabinets and seven (7) other Base Transceiver Station (BTS) cabinets, among others that were recovered from the bushy environment during a thorough search/combing of the entire vicinity.

Dr. Odumosu said further investigations are ongoing to unravel the kingpins behind the activities of these vandals and their buyers, and in the end, those found culpable will be arrested, charged, and prosecuted accordingly.