NSCDC arrests 16 suspected vandals, thieves, illegal miners in FCT

A total of sixteen individuals have been arrested in separate operations across the Federal Capital Territory by the Tactical Squad of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps for offences ranging from vandalism and theft to illegal mining.

The arrests were carried out by the FCT Command’s Critical National Assets and Infrastructure unit, which has been conducting 24-hour surveillance to safeguard public infrastructure.

The arrest was stated in a statement issued by the Acting Public Relations Officer of the NSCDC FCT Command, Monica Ojobi, on Friday.

According to the command, the suspects were apprehended during late-night operations while attempting to steal items such as armoured cables, galvanised pipes, telecommunications equipment, and other household items.

Three suspects — Mubarak Barau (29), John Yakubu (24), and Shamsudeen Usman (25) — were arrested in the Central Area with stolen items from the National Agricultural Development Fund.

Recovered items included eight rolls of armoured cables, an LG outdoor air conditioner, a sound speaker, two plastic chairs, two bags of electrical cables, a travelling bag containing clothes, and a saw.

The statement further stated that at Brains and Hammers Estate in Apo Dutse, near ShopRite, three more suspects — Danjuma Jerome (25), Maah Ishiaka (28), and Shefiu Muktar (30) — were arrested for the theft of 16mm electrical wires and criminal conspiracy.

In Jahi District, four suspects — Stephen Istifanus (43), Yakubu Thankgod (25), Danladi Samson (29), and Barnabas Sobok (37) — were apprehended for vandalism and the theft of galvanised pipes.

Elsewhere in Kallada by Cocoa, Idu, 43-year-old Saidu Shuibu was arrested for illegal mining activities.

Five other individuals — Phahat Abba (20), Usman Adama (24), Ali Shefiu (33), Adamu Shuibu (20), and Yakubu Abubakar (21) — were arrested at Kukwaba, Idu, for illegal mining and sand dredging. Items recovered included black armoured cables, three shovels, seven diggers, a knife, pincers, two pinches, transformer fuses, a ring boiler, and electrical cables.

Commenting on the arrests, the FCT Commandant of the NSCDC, Dr. Olusola Odumosu, reiterated the Corps’ commitment to protecting critical infrastructure in the capital.

He emphasised that public assets serve essential functions and are not merely decorative.

“These assets are not for aesthetics, they are essential to make life more meaningful for the residents of the FCT. We must ensure their protection; that is why we are here,” Odumosu stated.

The commandant warned individuals engaged in criminal activities to desist or face legal consequences, stressing that the corps would not treat such acts with leniency.

He also called on FCT residents to support the NSCDC with timely and credible information to aid its efforts in curbing vandalism and other crimes.