The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested nine suspects for vandalisation of critical national assets and infrastructure in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Parading the suspects, the FCT Commandant of the NSCDC, Olusola Odumosu said operatives of NSCDC FCT Command said four of the nine suspects arrested were arrested for act of vandalizing street lights, bridges, communication mast, armoured cables and other critical assets and infrastructure.
He said while on a routine patrol on Monday, operatives apprehended one Abdulahi Sani, Male, 24 years, noting that he was caught in the act of dismantling and vandalising street light amoured cables around Yoruba mosque, Utako.
He said further investigations led to the arrest of five buyers of the vandalized critical national assets and infrastructure at Pantaker, Jabi.
Odumosu said the second suspect, Ishaku Toma, Male, 32 years 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 the reinforcing iron rods
Also arrested is one Abubakar Habibu, Male, 22 years who was arrested at about 3.40am on Tuesday around Mabushi Bridge while vigorously digging the ground to unearth and steal the street-lights amoured cables around the bridge.
He said Daniel Peter a 24 years old male was also arrested on Tuesday at the Public Service Institute, Kubwa express road Abuja while vandalising amoured cables within the premises.
Odumosu also presented to the press exhibits recovered from Moshood Abiola Stadium on 15th October, 2024. He said, the Command’s patrol team intercepted some vandals in the process of vandalizing telecommunication masts at the ‘B’ parking area of the Moshood Abiola Stadium.
He said although the vandals took to their heels upon sighting personnel of the Command, the already dismantled items which includes, two Base Transceiver Station (BTS) cabinets and Seven other Base Transceiver Station (BTS) cabinets, among others were recovered from the bushy environment during a thorough search/combing of the entire vicinity.
The NSCDC FCT Command helmsman further said “the arrest of these 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, bridges and other road infrastructure, that is intended to serve the good people of FCT.”
Odumosu said, the command made extra effort to uncover the beneficiaries of these unlawful activities. This effort led to the arrest of 5 other individuals involved in the illegal purchase of these vandalized critical national assets and infrastructure, thereby fueling this criminal enterprise.
The five suspects according to the FCT Commandant are: Auwal Ibrahim “M” 35 years, Abubakar Ashamu “M” 25 years, Yusuf Isah “M” 34 years, Salisu Umar “M” 30years, and Odinaka Chukwu “M” 51 years.
He revealed that further investigations are ongoing to unravel the kingpins behind the activities of these vandals and their buyers, and at the end, those found culpable will be arrested, charged and prosecuted accordingly.
Odumosu 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 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 Command is therefore sending a stern and unequivocal warning message to vandals, scavengers AKA ‘Baban-Bola’, and other criminals that, vandalism of public properties and criminality will not be tolerated within our 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 authorities.
“Together, we can prevent further damage and ensure that the FCT remains a safe and secure place for all.”
