By Kwin Israel, The Sight News
The Nigeria Security And Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command has apprehended 12 suspected vandals in different parts of Abuja during the Nationwide hunger protest.
The suspects were arrested between Monday, 5th August and Wednesday, 7th August, 2024.
In a statement on Wednesday by the FCT CDPRO, Samuel Idoko, 3 of the suspects were caught in their attempt to vandalise the infrastructure at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja, after scaling the fence of the facility, while other accomplices took to their heels upon sighting officers of the Command.
It added that in Jabi, 4 suspects were arrested for attempting to vandalise the street lights and were caught by the eagle-eyed men of the command on routine patrol everyday within the metropolis and suburbs during the protest.
Meanwhile, 1 scavenger otherwise known as baban-bola, was picked up on top of the newly commissioned Wuye bridge for wandering and suspected vandalism at about 3.30am at Mabushi area of Abuja when he couldn’t provide any explanation of his suspicious movement at such an ungodly hour.
The statement also noted that based on an intelligence tip-off by men of the Command on undercover duty, 4 suspects were arrested in Kuje while vandalising an electrical installation.
The NSCDC FCT Commandant, Dr. Olusola Odumosu, however warned all miscreants and mischief makers to stay clear of Critical National Assets and Infrastructures as anyone found wanting would be made to face the full weight of the law.
“Vandalism is a threat to our socio-economic well being, it causes retrogression in the society and we will do all within our power as an agency to ensure that any act inimical to our collective growth and development is nipped in the bud,” he said.
Dr. Odumosu appealed to residents of FCT to always alert the NSCDC whenever anyone is seen attempting acts of vandalism as every Nigerian is a stakeholder in the protection of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure.
The NSCDC FCT Boss also appealed to youths in the Capital city to embrace dialogue as that is the civilised way to address grievances, stressing that destroying public properties does more harm than good to members of the public.
The Commandant who has been involved in monitoring the security situation in the FCT since the commencement of the protest, admonished residents to go about their businesses without fear as their safety is guaranteed.
