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By Olanrewaju Lawal (Birnin-Kebbi)
Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Kebbi State Command has told residents of Koko- Besse Local Government Area that 25 years imprisonment awaiting whoever is caught vandalising of national assets.
Commandant of the command, Mr. Abubakar Kabiru-Alkammawa stated this at the town hall meeting with residents of Koko-Besse and network providers to sensitize them on the consequences of vandalizing of critical national assets.
While addressing the residents at the meeting, the Commandant, Abubakar Kabiru -Alkammawa, represented by the Deputy Commandant, Florence Adepoju in charge of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure, told the residents that anybody caught vandalizing national assets would be arraigned at the Federal High Court and such suspect could be sent to prison to serve a sentence of 25 years if found guilty.
His words: “We are here in Koko to interact with our people on the consequences of vandalisation of national assets. This meeting is a directive from the office of the National Security Adviser, which mandated NSCDC to prosecute whoever is caught vandalizing national assets.
“These national assets include: cable and network providers, artenna (masts), electricity poles, transformers and other equipment like that. It is a capital offence to vandalize such assets.”
He informed them that vandalisation of national assets affects the security of the nation, economy and puts human lives in danger, especially hospitals when there is power failure.
“Our hospitals need light, airports need electricity to enable airplanes to land. If there is no electricity, and no network, public trust would be lost. So, we are urging you, especially ‘Jeri-Bola’, to tell your members to stop vandalising national assets.”
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In his remarks, the Chairman of Koko-Besse Local Government Area, Suraju Saliu, disclosed that nine transformers were vandalised in the Koko area which resulted in a blackout for seven months.
Saliu said he and some people in the council contributed money to repair three out of the nine vandalised transformers to enable his communities to enjoy electricity.
He declared his total support for the NSCDC to put an end to incessant vandalisation of national assets.
Also speaking, the National Chairman of Grassroots Advocacy for Peace and Good Governance (GAPAG) Muhammad Anache, explained that both the federal and state governments have started the installation of a 3.5mw solar plant to provide alternative power supply to the people.
Anaçhe said that they should know that the national assets are meant to serve the people and not just for the government alone. Therefore, whenever they suspect anyone of vandalising national assets, they should report to the NSCDC immediately.
He disclosed that both the Federal and Kebbi governments have started installation of a 3.5mw solar plant in the state, which would provide alternative power supply to the people and urged them to support the government in its efforts to provide necessary facilities in the state.
Earlier, District Head of Koko, Alhaji Muhammadu Bello, represented by Alhaji Ahmad Saliu, said the people of the district would support the NSCDC to eradicate vandalisation of national assets.
Leaders of ‘Jari-Bola’(scavengers), KEDCO, Vigilante Group of Nigeria, Koko-Besse Development Association and commercial motorcyclists were also at the meeting.
