The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has raised the alarm over a new trend of crime allegedly masterminded by some scavengers in Anambra.

Isdore Chikere, the state commandant of NSCDC, raised the alarm in an interview on Wednesday in Awka.

He said some scavengers broke into people’s houses and disconnected the electrical wires in private and public buildings.

“Recently, we arrested some suspects who vandalised electrical materials in Obelendu Community in Anaocha area; our investigation revealed that the crime is now the new trend in town.

“What these vandals do is to target houses of people who are not around, and break into their houses and steal the wires which they burn and sell the copper,” he said.

Mr Chikere said there were several reports in his office regarding the vandalism of electrical wires in people’s houses.

“Some people had reported that upon return from their trips, they tried to put their generators and suddenly uncovered that all the wires in the ceiling have been stolen,” he said.

Some houses near Government House Awka, including the agency in Awka, have been vandalised by electrical vandals.

Further investigations revealed that the criminals had stolen wires connecting the street lights in some parts of Awka.

The NSCDC official, however, called on the state’s residents to beam their searchlight on the activities of scavengers and people with suspicious behaviours.

Mr Chikere also expressed concern over the activities of illegal refineries operators in some parts of the state.

“We have received intelligence that some illegal refineries operators are still operating in the state, and very soon, we will close in on them.”

He added that the command still required more logistics for efficient operations.

(NAN)