The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Federal Capital Territory Command, has arrested eight individuals suspected of vandalising public infrastructure in various parts of Abuja.
The arrests were made as part of an ongoing operation aimed at combating vandalism within the FCT.
The Commandant, FCT Command, Olusola Odumosu, on Wednesday, disclosed in Abuja that the suspects were apprehended through a concerted effort by the NSCDC’s covert operatives and the Critical National Assets and Infrastructure Tactical Team, who have been monitoring the capital city
The first group of four suspects was arrested at Idu Layout CITEC on Saturday around 2:10am, in possession of vandalised solar panel poles.
The suspects, identified as Sani Garba, Umar Aminu, Adekunle Oluwatoyin Eniola, and Emmanuel John, hail from Kano, Osun, and Enugu states, respectively.
Another four suspects were arrested on Sunday along the Bannex-Gishiri axis at around 1:30am while attempting to transport five vandalized street light poles.
The suspects, identified as Hosea Christopher, Ali Musa, John Sylvester, and Idris Suleiman, are from Kaduna and Katsina states.
The items recovered from the suspects include five large street light poles, one solar panel pole, and over forty iron rods.
Odumosu expressed concern over the increasing destruction of public infrastructure and reiterated the commitment of the NSCDC to tackling the issue.
He said that the corps would continue to intensify efforts to safeguard public infrastructure in the FCT and warned vandals to leave the area.
The commandant warned, “We are not going to allow the efforts of the Hon Minister of FCT in infrastructural development to be sabotaged by some good-for-nothing individuals working against the state.
“I will continue to warn you to relocate out of the FCT because we are not backing down until vandalism is brought to an end in FCT.
“The suspects are currently under investigation, and once completed, they will face legal charges.”