The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested seven suspected vandals in connection with attacks on national assets and infrastructure in Abuja.
DSC Monica Ojobi, the command’s acting spokesperson on Tuesday said the arrests carried out over the weekend, followed intensified surveillance by the Command.
She noted that the suspects were caught near Constitution Avenue, Central Area, where they were attempting to remove manhole covers and armoured cables at night.
The five suspects arrested at Constitution Avenue include—Nafiu Ibrahim, 19, from Kurfi Local Government Area, Katsina State, Shefiu Sadiq, 21, from Kurfi Local Government Area, Katsina State, Mohanzam Muktar, 20, and Yunusa Ma’aruf, 19, all from Katsina State
Items recovered are two manhole covers, underground armoured cables, two diggers, and two vehicles (Toyota Carina and Toyota Corolla) used to transport stolen items.
In a separate operation near the Presidential Villa, two suspects were also arrested for vandalizing concrete reinforcement rods used for drainage.
The suspects are Haruna Yahaya, 20, from Kura Local Government Area, Kano State and Haliru Sanusi, 22, from Jibia Local Government Area, Katsina State
The FCT NSCDC Commandant, Dr. Olusola Odumosu, condemned the vandalism as “barbaric and evil.”
He pledged the Command’s commitment to combating the menace, saying, “This is absolutely unacceptable, it is barbaric and evil, and it must stop immediately because we are not backing down on our quest to bring an end to this ugly trend.
“If they have decided not to repent, we will continue to change tactics and re-strategize until we are able to bring this menace of vandalism to an end.”
Odumosu called for the regulation of partaker markets, which are believed to be channels for selling stolen materials, and urged the government to introduce stricter penalties for vandals to deter such acts.
The Commandant appealed to residents of the FCT to support the NSCDC’s efforts by providing credible intelligence to safeguard critical infrastructure.
He further revealed that the suspects are undergoing investigation.