By Kelechi Ogunleye
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) FCT Command has arrested 4 individuals for allegedly vandalising and stealing electrical and armored cables in Abuja.
NSCDC FCT Commandant, Dr Olusola Odumosu, briefed newsmen of their arrests on Wednesday in Abuja.
Odumosu mentioned that the suspects have been arrested individually in Kubwa, Abaji and Kwali areas of the FCT.
He added that the male suspects have been apprehended by FCT NSCDC operatives following credible intelligence reviews by effectively that means Nigerians.
The commandant defined that one in every of male suspects, aged 44, was arrested in Abaji for unlawfully being in possession of high-tension aluminium conductor cables allegedly belonging to the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC).
He mentioned that the suspect confessed that the cables have been delivered to him by two suspects who’re at giant; to safeguard them pending their sale to potential consumers.
“Both suspects are currently at large but efforts are ongoing to apprehend them as well as identify other persons connected with the alleged criminal activity.
“He was subsequently granted administrative bail to enable him to produce a credible surety as investigation continues.
“Exhibits recovered were; bundles of high-tension aluminium conductor cables,” Odumosu mentioned.
Odumosu mentioned that in one other operation, two alleged male vandals, each 27 years outdated have been arrested for alleged vandalism and illegal possession {of electrical} cables stolen round Government Secondary School, Kubwa, popularly generally known as “Black and White”.
He additional mentioned that one of many suspects was apprehended following intelligence reviews by some industrial motorcyclists and tricyclists of suspicious prison actions across the college premises.
The command helmsman mentioned that based mostly on the knowledge, operatives swung into motion, which led to the restoration of roughly 38 rolls {of electrical} set up cables, cutted items of energy cables hid in a big sack.
“A pair of pliers, a screwdriver and other items suspected to have been used in the alleged operation.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that he got access into the school in the evening through the gate before cutting the school’s wires till about 12 a.m.
“He was apprehended while trying to climb the fence with the exhibit in an attempt to escape with the intent of selling the items,” the commandant mentioned.
The commandant defined that in interrogation, the suspect said that he had already contacted an alleged purchaser, who made an advance fee of N35,000.
“Following intelligence tactics we were able to apprehend the alleged buyer,” he mentioned.
He nonetheless mentioned that each suspects confessed to have been within the unlawful act/enterprise since 2024.
In an identical operation, the command, alerted by members of an area vigilante group, efficiently arrested a suspect at Berger Roundabout, alongside the Wuye axis, for allegedly excavating and stealing armoured cable.
Odumosu revealed that recovered from the suspect on the crime scene have been armored cables and a digger.
“The suspect alleged that he was acting alongside two other individuals who reportedly escaped during the arrest operation.
“The suspect was detained and subsequently granted administrative bail,” Odumosu mentioned.
He reiterated that the NSCDC FCT Command will proceed to accentuate efforts to guard all very important Critical Assets and infrastructure inside the FCT.(NAN)
Edited by Yakubu Uba
