The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) FCT Command has arrested 30 persons between January and June for allegedly vandalizing Critical National Asset and Infrastructure (CNAI) in the territory.
The FCT Commandant, Dr Olusola Odumosu, disclosed this during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja.
Odumsou said that within six months, the command had recorded successes in its fight against vandalism and the protection of CNAI across the FCT.
Giving a breakdown of the arrests, he explained that seven suspects were arrested in January, two in March, four in April, five in May and 10 in June.
The commandant said that three suspects were arrested for vandalizing crash barriers along Constitution Avenue in the central area of the territory.
“During the operation, 12 vandalized crash barriers and eight poles were recovered,” he said.
He added that in a separate operation at Dakibiyu, Jabi District, the command recovered a vandalized electricity transformer and arrested three suspects in connection with the crime.
“Similarly, three suspected transformer vandals were arrested in another operation, during which six transformer components that had been vandalized and were being carted away were recovered.
“The command also apprehended illegal telecommunications cable operators engaged in unlawful cabling activities in the Sunnyvale area of the FCT.
“Two suspected telecommunications infrastructure vandals were arrested around the Transcorp Bridge while attempting to vandalize public utility facilities,” Odumosu stated.
Odumosu further explained that two suspects were arrested for vandalizing fibre optic cables around Leisure Court, Lugbe, while in April, two suspected iron rod vandals were apprehended in the Central Area.
According to him, two suspected armored cable vandals were nabbed in Utako and three others were arrested in Zone 3 area for the same crime.
He also said that a 25 years old male suspect was arrested around Aco Estate, Lugbe , Airport Road , vandalizing streetlight input cables.
The commandant revealed that six lengths of electrical iron and one pole hanger was recovered from a 26 year old male caught vandalizing an electric pole at Wuse Zone 6.
The command helmsman applauded his operatives for recovering a large quantity of armored cables from the suspects.
Odumosu reiterated that these arrests underscored the commitment of the NSCDC FCT command in protecting CNAI and ensuring that alleged criminals are brought to justice.
“Although the command has recorded notable successes, we are not resting on our oars; we will continue to intensify surveillance, strengthen intelligence gathering and sustain enforcement operations to rid the FCT of vandals and other criminal elements.
“Our resolve remains firm to ensure the safety of public infrastructure and maintain a secure environment for all residents,” he said.(NAN).
