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 stated that the suspects had been arrested individually in Kubwa, Abaji and Kwali areas of the FCT.
He added that the male suspects had been apprehended by FCT NSCDC operatives following credible intelligence reviews by effectively that means Nigerians.
The commandant defined that one in all 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 stated that the suspect confessed that the cables had been delivered to him by two suspects who’re at massive; 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 stated.
Odumosu stated that in one other operation, two alleged male vandals, each 27 years outdated had been arrested for alleged vandalism and illegal possession {of electrical} cables stolen round Government Secondary School, Kubwa, popularly often known as “Black and White”.
He additional stated that one of many suspects was apprehended following intelligence reviews by some business motorcyclists and tricyclists of suspicious legal actions across the faculty premises.
The command helmsman stated that based mostly on the data, 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 stated.
The commandant defined that in interrogation, the suspect acknowledged 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 stated.
He nonetheless stated that each suspects confessed to have been within the unlawful act/enterprise since 2024.
In an identical operation, the command, alerted by members of a neighborhood 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 had 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 stated.
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
