The Edo State command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has arrested three suspects for alleged cable vandalism.

The corps said that they were caught while attempting to steal armoured cable from a streetlight in Benin City.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, SC Efosa Ogbebor, said that the suspects were arrested on Uselu-Lagos road on September 8 in collaboration with some personnel of the Edo Security Network.

He said that the suspects, Friday Alex, 32, Favour Orji, 25, and Daniel Biaru, 23, were caught impersonating personnel of the local security network at about 2 a.m.

He said that the suspects, during interrogations, confessed to vandalising and stealing of about 100ft of cable the previous week.

Mr Ogbebor said that the suspects would be charged to court once the investigation into the case was concluded.

Speaking after his arrest, Alex, who claimed to be a vigilante, attributed their actions to hunger and non-payment by their private security employer.

“Hunger led me to this. We have not been eating for some days. I begged for leniency, promising not to do it again,” he said.

An apprentice, Orji, who is a school dropout, blamed hardship for his involvement in the crime.

“I’m from Imo State and I came to Benin City in search of a better life but things have been tough and I saw this as an opportunity to make some money,” he said.

The third suspect, Daniel Biaru, from Anambra State, also blamed hardship for his involvement in the crime.

(NAN)