The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Edo State Command, has recovered suspected vandalised school property and arrested a scrap dealer during an operation under its Safe Schools Initiative in Benin City.

The command’s spokesperson, Efosa Ogbenor, said this on Thursday in a statement in Benin.

Mr Ogbebor said the operation followed the discovery of extensive vandalism at Oriohhene Primary School, Bolehole, in the Oredo Local Government Area of the state.

According to him, the recovery and arrest were made during a routine monitoring exercise conducted on June 25.

He said the exercise involved the Edo Coordinator of the Edo State Scrap Monitoring Team, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and personnel of the NSCDC Safe Schools Initiative.

He said the team discovered that classroom chairs, air-conditioning units and roofing sheets had been stolen from the school, while parts of the building’s red roof had also been vandalised.

“Acting on intelligence, the monitoring team subsequently visited a scrap dump site located at No. 40 Evbienwen St., Iyaro, Benin City,” he said.

The spokesperson said vandalised roofing sheets and other items reasonably suspected to have been stolen from public schools were recovered from the site.

He added that the owner of the scrap dump, Aniemeka Hilary, 61, a native of Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State, was arrested in connection with the recovered items.

He said preliminary investigation showed that the suspect allegedly admitted purchasing the items from unidentified persons.

He said the suspect expressed regret and claimed that he was unaware that the recovered materials were allegedly stolen from government schools.

Mr Ogbebor quoted the State Commandant of NSCDC, Saidi Akintayo as condemning the activities of vandals and warned scrap dealers against patronising suspected criminals.

“Any individual found aiding, abetting, or benefiting from the destruction of government property will face the full wrath of the law.

“The command will not sit back and watch public infrastructure meant for the education and development of our children being destroyed by criminal elements,” he said.

According to him, the commandant said the corps has intensified efforts to identify, profile and apprehend vandals and other criminals operating within the state.

He said the commandant reaffirmed the commitment of the command to protecting schools and other critical national assets and infrastructure.

The NSCDC boss also urged members of the public to continue providing useful information to security agencies to combat vandalism and other acts of economic sabotage.

 (NAN)