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From Isaac Anumihe, Abuja
As the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has intensified surveillance on the vandals of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure (CNAI), five more suspected criminals were apprehended along Constitutional Avenue, Central Area, on the weekend.
The suspects arrested are Nafiu Ibrahim, male, 19 years old, from Kurfi Local Government Area of Katsina State; Shefiu Sadiq, male, 21 years old, from Kurfi Local Government Area of Katsina State; Yahaya Musbau, male, 24 years old; Mohanzam Muktar, male, 20 years old; and Yunusa Ma’aruf, male, 19 years old, all from Kurfi Local Government Area of Katsina State.
Exhibits recovered from them include two manhole covers, underground armoured cables, two diggers, and two cars—a Toyota Carina and a Toyota Corolla—which the vandals kept on standby to evacuate their loot.
Also arrested for vandalising concrete reinforcement iron rods for drainage along the Presidential Villa are Haruna Yahaya, male, 20 years old, from Kura Local Government Area of Kano State, and Haliru Sanusi, male, 22 years old, from Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State.
In a statement, the arrest came after the men of the command laid an ambush for the vandals, who came in the dead of night to destroy and remove the manhole covers and armoured cables around Constitutional Avenue, Central Area, Abuja.
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The Commandant of the NSCDC FCT Command, Dr Olusola Odumosu, described the constant vandalism of infrastructure in the FCT as inhuman and an act of wickedness.
“This is absolutely unacceptable. It is barbaric and evil, and it must stop immediately because we are not backing down on our quest to bring an end to this ugly trend.
“If they have decided not to repent, we will continue to change tactics and re-strategise until we are able to bring this menace of vandalism to an end,” Odumosu said.
Commandant Odumosu re-emphasised the need for the regulation of the pantaker markets in the FCT, noting that if there are no ready buyers, vandals will not indulge in vandalism. He appealed to the government to promulgate stiffer penalties for vandals to deter them and serve as a warning to others.
The FCT helmsman appealed to residents of the FCT to synergise with the Command in ensuring the protection of CNAI through credible intelligence, as the input of residents is very essential in combating the despicable acts of vandalism.
Odumosu disclosed that the suspects are currently undergoing investigations and due diligence will be followed to ensure that justice is served.
