By Kelechi Ogunleye
THE NIGERIA Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), FCT Command is to prosecute seven suspected vandals of national critical infrastructure in the territory.
The FCT Corps’ Commandant, Mr Olusola Odumosu, made this known while displaying vandalised items recovered from the suspects at the command’s headquarters in Abuja.
Odumosu said that five of the alleged perpetrators were arrested while destroying and removing manhole covers and armoured cables around Constitution Avenue in Central Business District, Abuja.
He said that intensified surveillance and ambush led to the arrest at midnight of the five male suspects, whose ages ranged between 19 years and 24 years.
“Exhibits recovered from the suspects were: two manhole covers, underground armoured cables, two diggers.
“Impounded also was one Toyota Carina car and one Toyota Corolla car that were on standby to evacuate their loot,” Odumosu said.
He added that the command had similarly detained two other suspects for vandalism and stealing drainage concrete reinforcement iron rods along the Presidential Villa axis of the territory.
He disclosed that the suspects were currently undergoing investigations, adding that due diligence would be followed in their prosecution.
Odumosu described the constant vandalism of infrastructure in the FCT as inhuman and an act of wickedness.
“This is absolutely unacceptable; it is barbaric and evil; it must stop immediately because we are not backing down on our quest to bring an end to this ugly trend.
“If they have decided not to repent, we will continue to change tactics and re-strategise until we are able to bring this menace of vandalism to an end,” Odumosu said.
Odumosu, reiterated the need for the regulation of scrap metals (pantakers) activities in the FCT, emphasising that if there were no ready buyers, vandals would not indulge in vandalism.
He appealed to the Federal Government to promulgate stiffer penalties that would ensure committed vandals were served commiserate punishment that would serve as deterrent to other would-be offenders.
He appealed for timely information from residents of the FCT, pointing out that security involves everyone.
“The input of residents is very essential in combating these despicable acts of vandalism,” he said. (NAN)
