The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kwara Command, says it has five suspects in its custody over their alleged involvement in vandalism and theft of transformer
By Mujidat Oyewole
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kwara Command, says it has five suspects in its custody over their alleged involvement in vandalism and theft of transformer and streetlight cables in Ilorin.
The suspects, identified as Samson Akintola, 21, Muhammed Zakariya, 19, Mohammed Monsur, 20, Ibrahim Hamida, 19, and Kabir Abubakar, 24, were reportedly caught at Tanke, at about 1 a.m on Nov. 1.
The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the command, Mr Ayoola Shola, disclosed this to newsmen in Ilorin, on Tuesday.
Shola said: “A joint operation conducted by personnel of the Tanke Division and members of the Tanke Community Vigilance Group led to the arrest.
“During the operation, the team intercepted the suspects in possession of vandalised transformer and streetlight cables, suspected to have been removed from Asa Dam, Sapati Area, in Ilorin.
“Items recovered from the suspects include vandalised transformer cables, streetlight cables and burnt copper wires.”
The PRO also said that preliminary investigation indicates a case of willful vandalism and theft of public electrical installations, in violation of Section 1(9) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act.
He further said that the suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
Shola said that efforts were ongoing to apprehend other accomplices connected to the crime.
Speaking on the development, the State Commandant, Umar Mohammed, affirmed the command’s unwavering commitment to the protection of critical national assets and infrastructure across Kwara.
Mohammed cautioned individuals and groups involved in vandalism to desist from such acts, saying that the corps would not relent in its mandate to safeguard public utilities and ensure that offenders were punished, accordingly. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)