Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) FCT Command, in scaled-up routine night operations, arrested 15 suspected vandals, scavengers and miscreants vandalising critical infrastructure within the FCT.
Parading the suspects at the FCT Command Headquarters in Abuja, the FCT Commandant, Olusola Odumosu, said the suspects were caught in different parts of the territory in the wee hours of the night committing various forms of crimes ranging from vandalism of public property, stealing, snatching of bags, phones and attacking innocent citizens under the guise of scavenging.
Items recovered from the suspects are; burglary irons, one Lexus ES 330 vehicle used in conveying stolen items, vandalised transmission cables, a climbing Belt, hammer, screwdriver, three measuring tapes, four spanners, a compass, a helmet, three reflective jackets, hacksaw, sets of ladies earrings, bags, one cart and one pumping machine.
Odumosu said that the apprehended suspects would be prosecuted in accordance with the law to make them accountable for their actions and to serve as a deterrent to others.
The Commandant said their activities had led to significant degradation of critical assets and public utilities thereby causing potential risks to public safety.
“The act of vandalism is not only a crime but it also inhibits the effective functioning of critical infrastructure.
“Critical infrastructures are vital to the survival of our nation, and any encumbrance on them poses great risk to our security, safety and other essential services,” Odumosu said.
He explained that the Corps’ efforts are also aimed towards enforcing the ban on scavenging activities within the city centre where major critical national assets and infrastructure are installed.
“We are resolute in enforcing this ban, safeguarding public infrastructure in the FCT and this effort will be sustained till we achieve sanity in the territory.
“We are going to take more robust measures to address this menace (vandalism) in the FCT once and for all,” he said.
