By Olukayode Idowu, Abuja
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has paraded 13 suspected vandals arrested at various locations in Abuja and also recovered some stolen items worth N5 million.
The corps said the success followed intense surveillance and patrol as well as tip off, adding that the intelligence personnel working with the Critical National Assets and Infrastructure Department combed various parts of the nation’s capital city.
The FCT Commandant of the NSCDC, Dr. Olusola Odumosu, while addressing journalists on Monday, said last week, his command organized a training for the intelligence department where they were taught modern techniques on intelligence gathering and were charged to be proactive in order to rid the FCT of vandals of national assets and infrastructures.
He said: “I am glad to let you know that today. We have 13 suspects arrested in different part of FCT within the FCT between Saturday, 7th September, 2024 and the early hours of Monday, 9th September, 2024, and the following persons were arrested:
“Bitrus Obadiah, Male, 33 years from Obi Local Government of Nasarawa State and his counterpart Girgi Msugh Peter, Male, 32 years from Giwer Local Government area of Benue State were both arrested by our men by 2am on Sunday, 8th September, 2024 around Kukwaba 1 railways overhead bridge on Berger area 1 express way before the finance bridge, vandalizing street light cables and billboards.
“Auwal Umar, Male, 42 years from Kontagora Local Government area of Niger State, Jacob Jibut, male, 39 years from kanke Local Government area of Plateau State and Abdulfatai Aliyu, male, 22 years from Batsari Local Government area of Katsina State were caught in the act of vandalizing armored electrical cables along Nnamdi Azikiwe way, Opposite wonderland around 3.30am of Sunday, 8th September, 2024.
“Timothy Maigida, male, 28 years from kachia Local Government area of Kaduna State was caught in the act of vandalization of armored cables at Mabuchi Motor Park on Sunday, 8th September, 2024 by our vigilant men on patrol. Exhibit recovered are shovel, diggers and armored cables. Upon interrogation he also confessed to the crime.
“Williams Friday, male, 51 years from Ojo Local Government of Lagos State and Sunday Ezekiel, male, 27 years from Kabba Local Government of Kogi State were caught jumping the fence into Hilton Garden premises at Wuse Zone 5 around 4.30am on Saturday, 7th September 2024, by our men on patrol, they are suspected of having criminal intentions.
Lawal Harisu, male 29 years, Sabuwa Local government of Katsina State, Mohammed Yakubu male 24 years from Dandume Local Government of Katsina State and Mohammed Zayyanu Auwal, male 27 years from Chikum Local Government of Kaduna State were apprehended 9.01pm on 8th September, 2024 at Prince and Princess Estate vandalizing iron rods from slabs.
“Mohammed Kabiru, Male 26 years from Warri North Local Governrmnt of Delta State, and Abubakar Mohammed, male 24 years from Soba Local Government of Kaduna State were both apprehended under a flower shrub at Mabuchi around 2am today 9th September, 2024. They were caught holding laterite in their hands and were seen hiding from our men on patrol which was very suspicious. Having laterite in their hands at such an ungodly hour is an indication that they had dug something somewhere and were taking cover when they sighted men of the command.”
He disclosed that among items recovered include; Armored cables, Motor Cycles, Shovels, Diggers, Wrentch, Hack saw, Cutlass, Pieces of Iron Rods, Indian Hemp, Water Pump, Bill boards, Hoes, Knives, among others.
Odumosu warned the criminally minded persons “residing in the FCT to do themselves some good and either desist from acts of criminality or relocate from Abuja as we will leave no stone unturned to fish hem out and ensure they are brought to book.”