NSCDC arrests 15 suspected vandals, phone snatchers in Abuja

The operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have arrested 15 suspected vandals and phone snatchers in the federal capital territory (FCT), Abuja.

Olusola Odumosu, commandant of the NSCDC in the FCT, announced the development while parading the suspects at the command’s headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday.

Odumosu said the suspects were arrested in different parts of the FCT at night.

According to the NSCDC commandant, items such as burglary irons, one Lexus ES 330 used for conveying stolen items, vandalised transmission cables, a climbing belt, hammer, screwdriver, three measuring tapes, four spanners, compass, helmet, three reflective jackets, hacksaw, sets of ladies earrings, bags, one cart and one pumping machine were recovered from the suspects.

He said the suspects would be prosecuted according to their offences and in line with the law to make them accountable for their actions.

“The act of vandalism is not only a crime but it also inhibits the effective functioning of critical infrastructure,” Odumosu said.

“Critical infrastructures are vital to the survival of our nation, and any encumbrance on them poses great risk to our security, safety and other essential services.

“These criminals and their partners now specialize in the vandalism, theft and illegal sales of vandalized public infrastructure business chains.

“We are going to take more robust measures to address this menace in the FCT once and for all.”

Odumosu warned that the NSCDC would not tolerate any criminal activities that would jeopardise the efforts of the government in providing security and other social amenities in the FCT.