The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has apprehended 13 suspected vandals at various locations in Abuja, recovering stolen items valued at approximately N5 million. The arrests were made following intensive surveillance, patrols, and intelligence operations by the Critical National Assets and Infrastructure Department.
FCT Commandant, Dr. Olusola Odumosu, disclosed during a press briefing on Monday that the arrests occurred between September 7th and 9th, 2024. He attributed the success to recent training for the intelligence department, which focused on modern techniques in intelligence gathering and proactive measures to protect national assets in the Federal Capital Territory.
Among those arrested are:
- Bitrus Obadiah, 33, from Nasarawa State, and Girgi Msugh Peter, 32, from Benue State, were caught vandalizing street light cables near Kukwaba 1 railways overhead bridge at Berger area 1 expressway.
- Auwal Umar, 42, from Niger State; Jacob Jibut, 39, from Plateau State; and Abdulfatai Aliyu, 22, from Katsina State, were caught tampering with armored electrical cables along Nnamdi Azikiwe Way.
- Timothy Maigida, 28, from Kaduna State, was found vandalizing armored cables at Mabuchi Motor Park. Recovered items included shovels, diggers, and cables.
- Williams Friday, 51, from Lagos State, and Sunday Ezekiel, 27, from Kogi State, were detained while attempting to breach the Hilton Garden premises at Wuse Zone 5.
- Lawal Harisu, 29, and Mohammed Yakubu, 24, both from Katsina State, along with Mohammed Zayyanu Auwal, 27, from Kaduna State, were arrested for stealing iron rods from slabs at Prince and Princess Estate.
- Mohammed Kabiru, 26, from Delta State, and Abubakar Mohammed, 24, from Kaduna State, were found hiding under a shrub at Mabuchi, carrying laterite, which raised suspicions of recent digging activities.
Recovered items from the suspects include armored cables, motorcycles, shovels, diggers, wrenches, hack saws, iron rods, Indian hemp, water pumps, billboards, hoes, and knives.
Dr. Odumosu issued a stern warning to those engaged in criminal activities in Abuja to cease or relocate, emphasizing that the NSCDC will intensify efforts to apprehend offenders and ensure justice is served.
