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Stella Omona
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested 14 suspected vandals and illegal miners during surveillance and patrol operations conducted across Abuja ahead of the Salah celebrations.
The arrests were made by the Command’s Critical National Assets and Infrastructure (CNAI) Tactical Squad as part of ongoing efforts to protect government infrastructure and other critical assets in the territory.
According to the NSCDC, on Monday, two suspects, 30-year-old Samson Anyide from Osogbo Local Government Area and 27-year-old Suleiman Ibrahim from Ungogo Local Government Area of Kano State, were apprehended along the Utako-Jabi Road while allegedly vandalising crash barriers. Crash barrier poles were recovered from them.
In a separate operation, 22-year-old Abubakar Isija from Katsina State was arrested at Zone 3, Abuja, allegedly digging out armoured cables from the ground. Security operatives recovered a digger and a saw from him.
Another suspect, 22-year-old Shaibu Yusuf from Funtua, Katsina State, was arrested at GSM Village in Zone 1, Abuja, for allegedly digging up armoured cables.
The four suspects have been handed over to the command’s Intelligence and Investigation Unit for further investigation and possible prosecution.
The command also arrested 10 other suspects in connection with illegal mining activities around Gwagwalada Area Council. They include Amina Cecilia, 35; Ibrahim Aisha, 40; Shuaibu Zainab, 50; Magaji Tijani, 17; Wambe Faith, 14; Sule Maridia, 17; Terga Wisdom, 15; Ibrahim Hauwa, 12; Yakubu Rashidat, 18; and Umar Seriki Gambo, 24.
Speaking on the arrests, FCT Commandant, Dr. Olusola Odumosu, condemned the activities of vandals and other criminal elements operating within the territory, describing their actions as unpatriotic and destructive.
He said the suspects had attempted to take advantage of the festive period to carry out criminal activities but were thwarted by the command’s round-the-clock surveillance operations.
“NSCDC has no holiday. Our personnel patrol the city and its environs 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The arrests recorded during this operation demonstrate our commitment to protecting critical national assets and infrastructure,” he said.
Odumosu warned individuals engaged in criminal activities, including vandalism, illegal mining, “one-chance” robbery, phone theft and bag snatching, to desist or face arrest.
He also urged residents of the FCT to remain vigilant and support security agencies by providing timely information on suspicious activities.
The commandant advised commuters to avoid boarding unregistered vehicles or accepting rides indiscriminately, noting that such precautions could help prevent incidents of kidnapping, robbery and other crimes.
He assured residents that security agencies remained committed to safeguarding lives, property and critical infrastructure across the Federal Capital Territory.
Residents were encouraged to report criminal activities to the nearest security agency or contact the NSCDC FCT Command through its emergency hotlines: 09166229882 and 08159066244.
