By Palma Ileye
Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, has arrested two suspected vandals of Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) high-tension cables in Kwali Area Council.
The suspects, identified as Mustapha Yusuf, 40, from Toto Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, and Usman Mohammed, 50, from Lapai Local Government Area of Niger State, were arrested by the Command’s anti-vandal operatives following intelligence provided by local vigilante members.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the FCT Command Public Relations Officer, DSC Monica Ojobi, the suspects were allegedly involved in a cable vandalism syndicate operating within and outside the FCT.
During interrogation, Yusuf reportedly confessed that he belonged to a three-man gang involved in vandalising AEDC cables, adding that two members of the group were still at large.
He allegedly disclosed that he had participated in three previous vandalism operations before his arrest and intended to sell the latest stolen cables to a buyer in Gwagwalada.
Yusuf further stated that the cables were sold to a buyer who weighed them on a scale, while his alleged boss, who is currently at large, paid him between N4,000 and N5,000 after each successful operation.
Similarly, Mohammed reportedly confessed to participating in three successful cable vandalism operations and was arrested during his fourth attempt.
He allegedly claimed that he worked with an accomplice identified as Biyu, with the assistance of a security Officer serving in Gwagwalada, whose name was withheld.
Mohammed also disclosed that he usually sold the stolen cables to a buyer for N50,000.
The statement added that further interrogation revealed that the suspects allegedly worked for an individual identified as Titus, who is currently at large.
Four rolls of high-tension electric cables were recovered from the suspects, while investigations are ongoing to track down Titus and other suspected members of the syndicate.
Reacting to the arrests, the FCT Commandant of the NSCDC, Dr. Olusola Odumosu, expressed satisfaction with the development and reiterated the Command’s zero-tolerance stance on vandalism of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure (CNAI).
Odumosu described the act as economic sabotage, noting that the vandalism had plunged residents of Kwali Area Council into darkness.
He assured residents that the Command would intensify efforts to apprehend the fleeing suspects and ensure that anyone found culpable was prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The Commandant also directed the command’s intelligence and CNAI covert Officers to launch a manhunt for the suspects still at large.
He urged residents of the FCT to provide credible intelligence to security agencies to help prevent vandalism and protect critical public infrastructure.
