Four suspects have been taken into custody by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps‘ Federal Capital Territory Command on suspicion of damaging streetlight poles throughout Abuja.
The arrests were made during routine night patrols carried out by the command’s Critical National Assets and Infrastructure Tactical team.
The NSCDC FCT Commandant, Olusola Odumosu, while parading the vandals on Friday in Abuja, noted that the arrests underscored the agency’s commitment to safeguarding critical infrastructure in the FCT.
The first arrest occurred around 1am on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, near Eden Garden in the Utako area.
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Two suspects, Japheth Adams, 21, from Zango Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State, and Friday Ojo, 51, from Ojo Local Government Area of Lagos State, were apprehended while vandalising a medium-sized streetlight pole.
The second operation took place at 2am on Thursday, November 28, 2024, near the Moshood Abiola Stadium at the National Hospital Junction.
Ibrahim Aliyu, 19, from Nasarawa Local Government Area of Kano State, and Hassan Abdullahi, 23, from Zaria Local Government Area in Kaduna State, were caught dismantling two large streetlight poles.
Recovered exhibits included one medium-sized traffic light pole and two gigantic traffic light poles.
The suspects are currently under investigation, with authorities promising that due diligence will be followed to ensure justice is served.
The commandant reaffirmed the NSCDC’s dedication to the protection of critical national assets in the FCT.
He warned vandals, scavengers, and other criminal elements to desist from their activities, relocate, or face severe legal consequences.
He said, “Our operatives are on 24-hour surveillance and patrol across the metropolis and surrounding suburbs.
“Again, I am reaffirming my resolve this day that the FCT is a no-go area for vandals, scavengers, and all the hoodlums sleeping under the bridges in the city, after which they come out at night under the cover of darkness to vandalize and steal public infrastructure, attack unsuspecting commuters, and other residents of the FCT.
“Here is a warning to all vandals in the Federal Capital Territory, and I reiterate the NSCDC FCT Command’s determination to continue our onslaught against vandals in the FCT, and I am not going back on my earlier pronouncement that you either repent, relocate, or face the wrath of the law.
“We are not going to rest on our oars until all of you are flushed out of the FCT.”
The commandant appealed to residents of Abuja to support its efforts by providing credible intelligence and information, assuring that the confidentiality and safety of informants would be prioritised.
