The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, has arrested sixteen (16) suspects for alleged theft, vandalism, and illegal mining across different parts of Abuja, in a move to clamp down on criminal activities in the nation’s capital
The arrests were made by the Critical National Assets and Infrastructure (CNAI) Department’s Tactical Squad, which has been on 24-hour surveillance duty as part of its core mandate to safeguard key national assets, as contained in a statement signed on Friday by DSC Monica Ojobi, Command spokesperson.
The suspects, all males, were nabbed at various locations in the FCT during late-night operations described as “ungodly hours” by the Corps.
They were caught attempting to vandalize armoured cables, galvanized pipes, telecommunication installations, and other valuable infrastructure.
Three suspects — Mubarak Barau (29, Kano), John Yakubu (24, Nasarawa), and Shamsudeen Usman (25, Kano) — were apprehended in the Central Area while carting away items stolen from the premises of the National Agricultural Development Fund.
Recovered items included: Eight rolls of armoured cables, one LG outdoor air conditioner, one sound speaker, two plastic chairs, two bags of electrical cables, a travelling bag with clothes, and one saw.
At Brains and Hammers Estate in Apo Dutse, behind ShopRite, Danjuma Jerome (25, Kaduna), Maah Ishiaka (28, Katsina), and Shefiu Muktar (30, Kano) were arrested for theft of 16mm electrical wires and alleged criminal conspiracy.
In Jahi District, another group — Stephen Istifanus (43), Yakubu Thankgod (25), Danladi Samson (29), and Barnabas Sobok (37) — all from Northern states, were caught vandalizing and stealing galvanized pipes.
Similarly, Saidu Shuibu (43, Katsina) was apprehended at Kallada by Cocoa in Idu for engaging in illegal mining activities.
In another operation at Kukwaba, Idu area, five more suspects — Phahat Abba (20, Borno), Usman Adama (24, Katsina), Ali Shefiu (33, Katsina), Adamu Shuibu (20, Plateau), and Yakubu Abubakar (21, Plateau) — were arrested for illegal mining and sand dredging.
Items recovered from the suspects across the operations include: Black armoured cables, three shovels, seven diggers, knife, pincers and pinches, two transformer fuses, a ring boiler, and electrical cables.
FCT Commandant, Dr. Olusola Odumosu, while commenting on the arrests, reaffirmed the NSCDC’s zero tolerance for vandalism and other forms of economic sabotage.
He noted that public infrastructure must be protected at all costs. He described the arrested suspects as enemies of progress.
“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 said.
He added that the Corps remains committed to rewriting the narrative on security around Critical National Assets and Infrastructure in the FCT.
He also issued a stern warning to criminal elements to desist from such activities or face the full wrath of the law.
“Theft and vandalism will not be treated with kid gloves,” Odumosu emphasized.
The Commandant further urged residents of the FCT to assist the NSCDC by volunteering timely and credible intelligence to aid ongoing operations and help rid the capital territory of vandals and saboteurs.