Twelve people have been taken into custody by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps on suspicion of damage in various locations in the Federal Capital Territory over the Sallah holiday.
The arrests were made by the Tactical Squad of the Critical National Assets and Infrastructure section of the FCT Command, according to a statement issued on Tuesday by Monica Ojobi, the NSCDC FCT command.
During the holiday season, the team was on normal patrol to protect people and public property.
The statement read in part, “In view of their dogged determination to combat vandalism head-long in the Federal Capital Territory, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps of the FCT Command has made arrests of twelve suspected vandals at different locations in the metropolis during the sallah holiday.”
According to the statement, the suspects were apprehended at different locations, including Jahi, Karu Site, Utako, Wuye, and Berger/Area 1 Road. Items recovered from them include galvanised iron rods, armoured cables, billboard components, and tools such as shovels, diggers, and axes.
Among those detained are Barnabas Sobok (25, Gombe), Samson Danladi (29, Kaduna), Yakubu Thankgod (35, Gombe), and Istifani Stephen (43, Adamawa), who were discovered in possession of iron rods at a Jahi construction site. Zayyanu Muhammad, a 21-year-old Sokoto resident, was taken into custody for reportedly damaging portions of a telecom mast at Karu Site.
Others include Ibrahim Haruna (32, Katsina), Abdulahi Saidu (31, Katsina), Usman Dankastina (38, Katsina), and Sani Wakilli (55, Jigawa), who were apprehended in the Utako region carrying what are thought to be equipment used to dig up armoured wires. Sambo Abraham, 34, of Plateau, was taken into custody for reportedly damaging a billboard next to the National Hospital bridge. For similar acts, Musa Ibrahim (20, Kaduna) and Umar Suleiman (13, Zamfara) were also taken into custody in Wuye.
Commandant of the NSCDC FCT Command, Dr. Olusola Odumosu, expressed concern over the increasing trend of vandalism during public holidays, noting that the Corps had increased surveillance to prevent such crimes.
“These criminals take advantage of festive seasons to perpetrate their heinous acts. We are not unaware of their tactics. The reason we man tighter surveillance during celebration period to beat them at their game,” Odumosu stated.
Protecting government infrastructure is crucial, and Odumosu stressed that the Federal Government’s and the FCT Administration’s efforts to provide necessary amenities must not be compromised.
He cautioned anyone who engage in vandalism to stop or face the full force of the law. Additionally, he urged locals to help the Corps by providing reliable information to back up their actions.
Regardless of the weather or season, the NSCDC has reaffirmed its dedication to safeguarding vital national resources, such as water pipes, telecommunications infrastructure, and manhole covers.
