NSCDC nabs 16 people in FCT for vandalism

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The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in the Federal Capital Territory has apprehended 16 individuals suspected of involvement in various criminal activities including vandalism, theft, and illegal mining.

According to a statement issued on Friday by the Acting Public Relations Officer of the NSCDC FCT Command, Monica Ojobi, the arrests were made during a series of late-night operations conducted by the Tactical Squad under the Critical National Assets and Infrastructure unit. The squad has been on 24-hour surveillance to safeguard public infrastructure in the capital city.

Among those arrested were three individuals — Mubarak Barau (29), John Yakubu (24), and Shamsudeen Usman (25) — who were caught in the Central Area with items reportedly stolen from the National Agricultural Development Fund. Recovered materials included eight rolls of armoured cables, an LG outdoor air conditioning unit, a sound speaker, bags of electrical wires, plastic chairs, and personal belongings.

In another operation around Brains and Hammers Estate in Apo Dutse, close to ShopRite, three suspects — Danjuma Jerome (25), Maah Ishiaka (28), and Shefiu Muktar (30) — were arrested in connection with the theft of 16mm electrical wires and for alleged criminal conspiracy.

Four suspects — Stephen Istifanus (43), Yakubu Thankgod (25), Danladi Samson (29), and Barnabas Sobok (37) — were arrested in Jahi District for allegedly stealing galvanised pipes, while another suspect, 43-year-old Saidu Shuibu, was nabbed in Kallada by Cocoa, Idu, for engaging in illegal mining.

Five more individuals — Phahat Abba (20), Usman Adama (24), Ali Shefiu (33), Adamu Shuibu (20), and Yakubu Abubakar (21) — were apprehended in Kukwaba, Idu, for involvement in illegal mining and sand dredging. Tools recovered included black armoured cables, transformer fuses, a ring boiler, diggers, shovels, and other items suspected to be used for infrastructure sabotage.

Commenting on the operations, the FCT NSCDC Commandant, Dr. Olusola Odumosu, emphasized the Corps’ commitment to securing public infrastructure against criminal attacks.

“These assets are not for aesthetics. They are crucial to improving the quality of life of residents. It is our duty to protect them,” Odumosu stated.

He warned that anyone found sabotaging national assets would face the full weight of the law, adding, “We won’t condone acts of criminality. We are working round the clock, and offenders will be prosecuted accordingly.”

Odumosu also urged residents to support the agency by providing credible and timely information that could help curb the menace of vandalism, theft, and unlawful mining in the FCT.

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