BY DAVID ADUGE-ANI, ABUJA
As the nation-wide hunger protests entered the seventh day, the Nigeria Security And Civil Defence
Corps (NSCDC), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command said it has arrested 12 suspected vandals in different parts of the nation’s capital, between Monday, 5th August and Wednesday, 7th August, 2024.
According to the Corps three of the suspects were nabbed while attempting to vandalise infrastructure at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja, after scaling the fence of the facility, while another four suspects were arrested at Jabi for attempting to vandalise street lights.
The Command also arrested four suspects in Kuje for vandalising an electrical installation, even as one scavenger, otherwise known as baban-bola, was arrested on top of the newly commissioned Wuye Bridge, in Mabushi area, at about 3.30am.
Speaking to newsmen on the arrests, the NSCDC-FCT Commandant, Dr Olusola Odumosu warned miscreants and mischief makers to stay clear of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure in Abuja, maintaining that anyone found would be made to face the full weight of the law.
Odumosu noted that vandalism is a threat to socio-economic well being, as it causes retrogression in the society, adding that the Corps would do everything within its powers to ensure that any act inimical to the collective growth and development of the society is nipped in the bud.
In a statement by the public relations officer of the Command, CSC Samuel Idoko, the NSCDC-FCT boss appealed to FCT residents to always alert the Corps whenever they see anyone attempting the acts of vandalism, adding that every Nigerian is a stakeholder in the protection of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure.
He encouraged FCT residents to go about their businesses without fear, as their safety is guaranteed, even as he also appealed to the youths in the Capital City to embrace dialogue as the most civilised way to address grievances, noting that destruction of public property does more harm than good to members of the public.