The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Akwa Ibom State Command has arrested five suspects, who vandalised power installations, including high tension cables in Akwa Ibom.
The State Commandant of NSCDC, Mr Bashar Hussaini, disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing newsmen at the command headquarters in Uyo.
Hussaini said the suspects were arrested on September 22, 2024 at about 2:30 am in Ikot Obio Ekpong village in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area of the state.
“The suspects were caught in the act with the help of the local community, while cutting the high tension cables in the border between Ikot Obio Ekpong and Ikot Ekong village.
“The suspects had also vandalised power infrastructure in Atanuk village, a neighboring village to the two affected villages.
“The suspects arrested include Uchenna Uguru, the buyer of the stolen cables. Emmanuel Sampson, Victor Sampson and Kingsley Umoren are the three suspects who vandalised the cables, while Joseph Emmanuel was the bike man who conveyed them,” Hussaini said.
Hussaini said the suspects confessed to the crime and narrated that they monitored and ascertained when electricity supply was off, mounted their ladders and climbed to cut the high tension cables in the early hours of the night.
The state commandant said that exhibits recovered from the suspects includes three bundles of high tension cables vandalised from different points and a motorcycle used for the operation.
Hussaini expressed displeasure on the increasing rate of vandalism of public infrastructure, especially power installations in the state.
He renewed the commitment of the Command to tackling the menace headlong and make Akwa Ibom state uncomfortable for vandals and criminal elements.
The NSCDC boss stated that the Command will continue to deploy intelligence and community approach to security as it is yielding positive results.
He called on citizens, community leaders, youths and residents to partner with the Corps in timely dissemination of information of criminal activities in their localities for prompt action.
The state commandant said that the five suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.