The operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have arrested 15 suspected vandals during a routine night operation within the Federal Capital Territory.
FCT Commandant, NSCDC, Olusola Odumosu, who disclosed on Wednesday, November 8, 2023, said the Corps has scaled up its routine night operations within the territory to combat crime and criminal activities in FCT.
He noted that the suspects apprehended were vandals, scavengers, and miscreants who made critical infrastructure within the FCT their targeted business.
Parading the suspects at the FCT Command Headquarters in Abuja, Odumosu disclosed that the suspects were caught in different parts of the territory in the wee hours of the night committing various forms of crimes ranging from vandalism of public property, stealing, snatching of bags, phones, and attacking innocent citizens under the guise of scavenging.
Items recovered from the suspects include burglary irons, one Lexus ES 330 vehicle used in conveying stolen items, vandalized transmission cables, a climbing belt, hammer, screwdriver, three measuring tapes, four spanners, a compass, a helmet, three reflective jackets, hacksaw, sets of ladies’ earrings, bags, one cart, and one pumping machine.
Odumosu said that the apprehended suspects would be prosecuted according to their offences and per the law to make them accountable for their actions and serve as a deterrent to others.
Upon interrogation, one of the suspects caught vandalizing telecommunication cables in the Wuse Zone 4 area of the territory identified himself as an engineer carrying out maintenance work for a supposed registered engineering company.
However, he could not provide satisfactory responses, documents, or permits to ascertain his claim to undertake the job. His two other accomplices are at large, but efforts are ongoing to capture the fleeing suspects.
The Commandant frowned at activities such as these, which have significantly degraded critical assets and public utilities, thereby causing potential risks to public safety.
“The act of vandalism is not only a crime, but it also inhibits the effective functioning of critical infrastructure. Critical infrastructures are vital to the survival of our nation, and any encumbrance on them poses a great risk to our security, safety, and other essential services,” Odumosu said.
He explained that the Corps’ efforts also aim to enforce the ban against scavenging activities within the city center where major critical national assets and infrastructure are installed.
“We are resolute in enforcing this ban, safeguarding public infrastructure in the FCT, and this effort would be sustained until we achieve sanity in the territory.
“These criminals and their partners now specialize in the vandalism, theft, and illegal sales of vandalized public infrastructure business chain. We are going to take more robust measures to address this menace in the FCT once and for all,” he said.
Odumosu warned that the NSCDC will not tolerate any criminal activities that will jeopardize government efforts in providing security and other social amenities in the FCT.
He further warned persons with criminal intent to relocate from Abuja or desist from engaging in illegal and unproductive ventures, as violators will be made to face severe consequences.
While appreciating the support and cooperation of the general public, the Commandant encouraged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities around critical installations to the Corps for appropriate action.
He added that the protection of residents and critical infrastructure was of paramount importance to the Corps.
