NSCDC arrests 5 suspected vandals in Akwa Ibom

Akpan Umoh, Uyo

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Akwa Ibom State Command has arrested five suspects for vandalising power installations, including high-tension cables in Akwa Ibom State.

The State Commandant of NSCDC, Mr Bashar Hussaini, said this on Wednesday while briefing newsmen at the command headquarters in Uyo.

Hussaini said the suspects were arrested on September 22, 2024, at about 2:30 am in Ikot Obio Ekpong village in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area.

“The suspects were caught in the act with the help of the local community while cutting the high-tension cables in the border between Ikot Obio Ekpong and Ikot Ekong village.

“The suspects also had vandalised power infrastructure in Atanuk village, a neighbouring village to the two affected villages.

“The suspects arrested include; Uchenna Uguru, the buyer of the stolen cables; Emmanuel Sampson, Victor Sampson and Kingsley Umoren, are the three suspects who vandalised the cables, while Joseph Emmanuel was the bike man, who conveyed them,” Hussaini said.

Hussaini said the suspects confessed to the crime and narrated that they monitored and ascertained when electricity supply was off, mounted their ladders and climbed to cut the high-tension cables in the early hours of the night.

The state commandant said that exhibits recovered from the suspects includes; three bundles of high-tension cables, vandalised from different points and a motorcycle used for the nefarious operation.

Hussaini expressed displeasure with the increasing rate of vandalism of public infrastructure, especially power installations in the state.

He renewed the commitment of the command to tackling the menace headlong and make Akwa Ibom state uncomfortable for vandals and criminal elements.

The NSCDC boss stated that the command will continue to deploy an intelligence and community approach to security as it is yielding positive results.

He called on citizens, community leaders, youths, and residents to partner with the Corps in the timely dissemination of information of criminal activities in their localities for prompt action.

“I want to warn vandals to steer clear of destroying public utilities, and critical infrastructure as they are provided to serve everyone in the society.

“Under my watch, NSCDC will partner with communities and well-meaning citizens to ensure that these public utilities are protected,” he said.

The state commandant said the five suspects would be charged in court as soon as investigations are concluded.