Security operatives arrest suspected manhole cover vandals in Abuja

Security agencies in the federal capital territory (FCT) have arrested suspected vandals over the removal of sewage manhole covers in the city.

This follows a trending video on social media where a resident recorded the suspects as they removed the manhole covers.

In a statement on Sunday, Lere Olayinka, senior special assistant to the FCT minister on public communications and new media, said efforts are under way to apprehend collaborators of the vandals, especially buyers of the manhole covers.

Olayinka said relevant stakeholders, as directed by Nyesom Wike, FCT minister, are working hard to stop vandals of public infrastructure.

He added that the public will be briefed in due course.

“The Minister, who lamented that Nigerians could go to the devilish extent of removing sewage manhole covers on highways and selling them, thereby putting the lives of road users at risk, vowed that government will do everything necessary to bring the perpetrators to book,” the statement reads.

“He said it was sad that government will use public funds to put amenities in place for the use of Nigerians, and criminally minded Nigerians will remove the amenities and sell them to Nigerians, who do not mind the danger their nefarious activities pose to their fellow Nigerians.

“The FCT Minister thanked Nigerians, especially the man who took his time to record the video that went viral, describing his effort as demonstration of patriotism that the country desired.”