NSCDC arrests 13 vandals in Abuja, recovers equipment worth 5 million naira

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Command in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has arrested 13 suspected vandals in connection with various criminal activities across the city and recovered infrastructure valued at N5 million Naira.

The suspects were arrested during routine patrols from Saturday, September 7 to 9, 2024, and paraded today by the Commandant of FCT NSCDC, Olusola Odumosu.

Speaking during a press conference at the command on Monday, Odumosu explained that the arrests followed intensive surveillance and intelligence efforts targeting vandals operating in different parts of the FCT.

“We arrested 13 suspects in different parts of the FCT between Saturday, September 7, 2024 and the early hours of Monday, September 9, 2024.

“Following intensive surveillance and patrolling and tip-offs, intelligence operatives of the Department of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure combed various parts of the city. We are determined to rid the FCT of vandals and protect our national infrastructure,” Odumosu said.

Among those arrested were Bitrus Obadiah, 33, of Obi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State and his counterpart Girgi Msugh Peter, 32, of Giwer Local Government Area of Benue State. Both were arrested by our men at 2am on Sunday, September 8, 2024, near Kukwaba 1 Railway Overpass on Berger Area 1 Expressway, off Finance Bridge and were caught damaging street light cables and billboards.

Others include Auwal Umar, 42, of Kontagora Local Government Area of Niger State, Jacob Jibut, 39, of Kanke Local Government Area of Plateau State and Abdulfatai Aliyu, 22, of Batsari Local Government Area of Katsina State, who were caught red-handed damaging armoured power cables along Nnamdi Azikiwe Way opposite Wonderland at about 3:30am on Sunday, September 8, 2024.

Also arrested were: “Timothy Maigida, male, 28 years of age, of Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State, was caught by our vigilant patrolmen vandalising armoured cables at Mabuchi Moto Park on Sunday, September 8, 2024. The evidence seized is
Shovel, excavator and armored cable. During interrogation he also confessed to the crime.

“Williams Friday, male, 51 years of Ojo Local Government Area of Lagos State and Sunday Ezekiel, male, 27 years of Kabba Local Government Area of Kogi State were caught by our patrol officers on Saturday, September 7, 2024 at about 4:30am jumping the fence into the Hilton Garden compound in Zone 5 Wuse and are suspected of having criminal intentions.

“Lawal Harisu, male, 29 years, Sabuwa Local Government, Katsina State, Mohammed Yakubu, male, 24 years, Dandume Local Government, Katsina
State and Mohammed Zayyanu Auwal, male, 27 years, of Chikum Local Government of Kaduna State were arrested on 8 September 2024 at 9:01 p.m. in
The prince and princess’s estate willfully destroys iron bars from plates.”

“Mohammed Kabiru, male, 26 years of Warri North Local Government of Delta State and Abubakar Mohammed, male, 24 years of Soba Local Government of Kaduna State were both arrested today, September 9, 2024, at about 2am under a flower bush in Mabuchi. They were caught holding laterite in their hands and hiding from our men on patrol, which was very suspicious. That they had laterite in their hands at such an ungodly hour is an indication that they had dug something somewhere and took cover when they spotted men of the commando,” the Commandant noted.

Items seized included armored cables, motorcycles, tools, iron rods and several pieces of stolen infrastructure with an estimated value of ₦5 million.

Odumosu also listed the stolen equipment: “Armoured cables, motorcycles (3), shovels (11), excavator (08), wrenches (01), hacksaw (01), cutlass (3), iron rod pieces, Indian hemp, water pump (1), billboards (31), pliers (02), hoes (05), knives (02), private security equipment (2 pairs), batons (02), iron rods (06), cart (02), water horse, solar cable, generator (01) and fencing wire.

“The economic value of the destroyed infrastructure is estimated at only five million naira (₦5,000,000).”
The selling points of these items are already known and the buyers will soon be arrested. At the end of all investigations, the suspect will be brought to court so that justice can take its course.”

Odumosu assured that efforts were underway to apprehend the buyers of these stolen items, stressing that the NSCDC would not relent in its mission to bring the vandals to justice.

He warned other criminally inclined persons in the FCT to either desist or relocate, saying: “I want to warn all criminally inclined persons in the FCT to do themselves a good deed and either desist from criminal acts or relocate out of Abuja because we will leave no stone unturned to track them down and ensure that they are brought to book.”

One of the suspects, Jibut, said he turned to the crime out of desperation to make money: “This is my first time. My friends introduced me to it because I needed money.”