The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps says it arrested 30 people between January and June for vandalising critical national assets and infrastructure in the territory.

The FCT commandant, Olusola Odumosu, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja.

Mr Odumosu said that within six months, the command had recorded successes in its fight against vandalism and in protecting CNAI across the FCT.

Giving a breakdown of the arrests, he explained that seven suspects were arrested in January, two in March, four in April, five in May and 10 in June.

The commandant said that three suspects were arrested for vandalising crash barriers along Constitution Avenue in the central area of the territory.

“During the operation, 12 vandalised crash barriers and eight poles were recovered,” he said.

He added that, in a separate operation at Dakibiyu in Jabi District, the command recovered a vandalised electricity transformer and arrested three suspects in connection with the crime.

“Similarly, three suspected transformer vandals were arrested in another operation, during which six transformer components that had been vandalised and were being carted away were recovered.

“The command also apprehended illegal telecommunications cable operators engaged in unlawful cabling activities in the Sunnyvale area of the FCT. Two suspected telecommunications infrastructure vandals were arrested around the Transcorp Bridge while attempting to vandalise public utility facilities,” Mr Odumosu stated.

Mr Odumosu further explained that two suspects were arrested for vandalising fibre-optic cables around Leisure Court, Lugbe, while in April, two suspected iron-rod vandals were apprehended in the Central Area. According to him, two suspected vandals of armoured cable were nabbed in Utako, and three others were arrested in Zone 3 for the same crime.

He also said that a 25-year-old male suspect was arrested around Aco Estate, Lugbe, Airport Road, vandalising streetlight input cables. The commandant revealed that six lengths of electric iron and one pole hanger were recovered from a 26-year-old male who was caught vandalising an electric pole in Wuse Zone 6.

The command helmsman applauded his operatives for recovering a large quantity of armoured cables from the suspects.

Mr Odumosu reiterated that these arrests underscored the NSCDC FCT command’s commitment to protecting CNAI and ensuring that alleged criminals are brought to justice.

“Although the command has recorded notable successes, we are not resting on our oars; we will continue to intensify surveillance, strengthen intelligence gathering and sustain enforcement operations to rid the FCT of vandals and other criminal elements. Our resolve remains firm to ensure the safety of public infrastructure and maintain a secure environment for all residents,” he said.

(NAN)