The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has apprehended 13 individuals suspected of vandalizing critical national assets and infrastructure (CNAI).
FCT Commandant, Olusola Odumosu, disclosed this during a press conference on Monday in Abuja.
He revealed that the items recovered from the suspects, worth an estimated N5 million, included street lights, billboards, armoured electrical cables, and steel rods, all of which had been tampered with.
According to Odumosu, the suspects, aged between 22 and 50, were questioned extensively, leading to the identification of their alleged sales outlets. Authorities are now making efforts to track down the potential buyers.
Investigations also suggested that most of the vandalism took place during periods of heavy rainfall.
“Upon the completion of our investigation, the suspects will be prosecuted so that the law can take its full course,” Odumosu stated.
He also issued a stern warning to any residents contemplating the destruction of public infrastructure, stressing that the federal government is committed to safeguarding national assets.
“We are leaving no stone unturned in our mission to apprehend vandals and ensure they face justice,” Odumosu added.
The commandant praised the intelligence unit for effectively applying tactics acquired from recent training to crack the case.
One of the arrested individuals, Jacob Jibut, claimed it was his first attempt at vandalism. He explained that financial desperation had driven him to steal armoured cables, but they were caught by NSCDC operatives while trying to escape with the stolen items.
