The Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Annex Lagos, says it received 1,816 complaints and apprehended four suspects over alleged vandalism of telecommunications infrastructure valued at N150 million in three months.

The Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), FCID Annex Lagos, Simeon Akpanudom, disclosed this at a news conference at the FCID premises in Lagos on Friday.

Mr Akpanudom said nine complaints were referred to various state commissioners of police and formations, while four were declined as civil matters.

He said 1,803 complaints were referred for investigation and report, while 24 cases were concluded and processed in various courts.

The AIG said the outstanding cases were at various stages of investigation, legal vetting and advice.

He said one of the significant cases investigated involved the alleged vandalism and theft of telecommunications facilities belonging to ATC Telecommunications Nationwide.

Mr Akpanudom said the FCID received a petition on August 11 alleging that armed hoodlums attacked, robbed and vandalised telecommunications facilities in parts of the South-East and Lagos between March and May.

He said the stolen equipment included modules, solar batteries, solar panels, and generators, valued at N150 million.

According to him, operatives of the FCID Special Weapons and Tactics Unit investigated the case and apprehended four suspects, aged 17 to 28, at a shop in the Kosofe area of Lagos.

Mr Akpanudom said operatives recovered two surveillance cameras, 52 solar batteries, one hammer, one chisel, three small solar panels and two solar meters.

He said efforts were ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the alleged syndicate, adding that the suspects in custody would be charged to court.

The AIG also disclosed that the department investigated a case of conspiracy, shopbreaking, malicious damage, stealing and receiving stolen property.

He said the case followed a petition by a trader at Ojota, Lagos, over an alleged burglary of his shop on May 19 and theft of goods valued at about N20 million.

“The stolen items included 90 mobile phones, 42 smart watches, two Oraimo speakers, 105 power banks and other phone accessories.

“The suspects also damaged seven CCTV cameras, show glasses, the entrance door and other property in the shop,” he said.

Mr Akpanudom said detectives apprehended four suspects, three males and a female, who were alleged to have received the stolen property.

He said the recovered items included three phones, one power bank, three generators and other electronics.

According to him, the suspects admitted to selling most of the stolen phones and accessories to a transborder receiver.

Mr Akpanudom further disclosed that INTERPOL rescued 36 victims of human trafficking during the period, while efforts were ongoing to arrest the suspects.

The AIG also said 17 personnel had undergone specialised training as part of measures to strengthen the annex’s investigative capacity.

He said the FCID had also improved its infrastructure, personnel welfare and collaboration with relevant stakeholders to enhance service delivery.

Mr Akpanudom assured members of the public that suspects found culpable at the conclusion of investigations would be prosecuted under extant laws.

He urged members of the public to provide timely, credible, and actionable information to the police to help prevent and combat crimes.

 (NAN)