The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), FCT Command in an intensified surveillance, has arrested five (5) vandals along Constitution Avenue in Central Area, Abuja at the weekend, a Statement from the Command stated.
The Acting Spokesperson, Monica Ojobi says the arrest was borne out of concerns over the recent attacks on Critical National Assets and Infrastructure in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The arrest came after the men of the Command laid ambush for the vandals who came in the dead of the night to destroy and remove the manhole covers and armoured cables around the Constitution Avenue, Central Area, Abuja.
The Commandant of the NSCDC FCT Command, Olusola Odumosu, PhD, described the constant vandalism of infrastructure in the FCT as inhuman and an act of wickedness.
“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 said.
The suspects arrested are Nafiu Ibrahim, male, nineteen (19) years old, from kurfi Local Government Area of Katsina State; Shefiu Sadiq, male, twenty- one (21) years old from Kurfi Local Government Area of Katsina State.
Others are Yahaya Musbau, Male, 24 years old; Mohanzam Muktar, Male, 20 years old and Yunusa Ma’aruf Male, nineteen (19) years old, all from Kurfi Local Government Area of Katsina State.
Exhibits recovered from them are: two (2) manhole covers, underground Armoured Cables, two diggers, (1) Toyota Carina and (1) Toyota Corolla cars the vandals kept on standby to evacuate their loot.
Also arrested for vandalizing concrete reinforcement iron rods for drainage along the Presidential Villa are: Haruna Yahaya, Male, 20 years old, from Kura local Government Area of Kano state and Haliru Sanusi, Male, 22 years of age from Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State.
Commandant Odumosu, re-emphasized the need for the regulation of the Pantaker markets in the FCT, noting that if there are no ready buyers, vandals will not indulge in vandalism. He appealed to the government to promulgate stiffer penalties for vandals to keep off and serve as a deterrent to others.
The FCT helmsman appealed to residents of the FCT to synergise with the Command in ensuring the protection of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure through credible intelligence as the input of residents of the FCT is very essential in combating this despicable acts of Vandalism.
Commandant Odumosu disclosed that the suspects are currently undergoing investigations and due diligence will be followed to ensure that justice is served.
