The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has apprehended seven suspects linked to vandalism of national assets and infrastructure in Abuja.
According to DSC Monica Ojobi, the Command’s acting spokesperson, the arrests were made over the weekend following increased surveillance. She disclosed that five suspects were caught near Constitution Avenue, Central Area, while attempting to steal manhole covers and armoured cables during the night.
The suspects, identified as Nafiu Ibrahim, 19; Shefiu Sadiq, 21; Mohanzam Muktar, 20; and Yunusa Ma’aruf, 19, all from Katsina State, were apprehended alongside stolen items, including two manhole covers, underground armoured cables, two diggers, and two vehicles—Toyota Carina and Toyota Corolla—used for transporting the stolen materials.
In a separate operation near the Presidential Villa, two other suspects were arrested for vandalizing concrete reinforcement rods used for drainage. The suspects were named as Haruna Yahaya, 20, from Kano State, and Haliru Sanusi, 22, from Katsina State.
FCT NSCDC Commandant, Dr. Olusola Odumosu, condemned the vandalism, calling it “barbaric and evil.” He added, “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 urged the regulation of partaker markets, often suspected as channels for selling stolen items, and called for stricter penalties for vandals to deter such acts. Additionally, he appealed to FCT residents to support the NSCDC by providing credible intelligence to protect critical infrastructure. He confirmed that the suspects are under investigation.
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