The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested five suspects and seized a truckload of stolen public infrastructure......See Full Story>>.....See Full Story>>
The suspects were paraded on Tuesday during a press briefing at the command’s headquarters in Abuja.
The FCT Commandant, Dr. Olusola Odumosu, said the suspects were apprehended in the Dei-Dei area of the FCT during a routine night patrol on Saturday, November 16, 2024 around 1:30 a.m by a tactical team comprising the NSCDC intelligence personnel.
The truck did not have a number plate and only had the registration number TRN 318ZY KANO on its windshield.
When the patrol team first flagged the vehicle down around the Aso Radio axis on Kubwa Expressway, the driver refused to stop and sped off, which prompted a chase. The truck was eventually intercepted at the Dei-Dei U-turn near Mopol Barracks.
The commandant said upon apprehension, the driver and his assistant fled and left three occupants who were immediately arrested.
Quoting Odumosu, “As soon as the truck was apprehended, the driver and a co-driver ran away with the truck’s ignition key, leaving behind three other occupants who were immediately arrested alongside the truck by our patrol team.
“On seeing the doggedness of our patrol team in ensuring their arrest, the driver and the other guy turned themselves in when they noticed a towing vehicle had arrived to move the truck to our command. After surrendering to arrest, the driver driver was mandated to drive the truck down to the command for further investigation.”
The arrested suspects include; Aminu Yusuf, 25, Male, Bebeji LGA, Kano State, Saminu Yusuf, 20, Male, Bebeji LGA, Kano State, Adamu Sani, 20, Male, Bebeji LGA, Kano State, Suleiman Yusuf, 20, Male, Bebeji LGA, Kano State and Usman Jalo, 27, Male, Keffi LGA, Nasarawa State.
The Commandant noted preliminary investigations revealed the suspects were transporting the items from Gauta Junction in Nasarawa to an iron-melting company in Sabo Wuse, Niger State.
The seized items included drainage covers, Iron pipe protector for bridges, communication mast accessories, rolls of stainless steel pipe clamps, manhole covers,
Angle bar from public water tank, Scaffold pipes and clips, Electricity Aluminium Conductors, Wire Mesh, Armoured Aluminium Conductors, and
Central barricade from Nnamdi Azikiwe express way.
Other were Iron Steel Section- U, Angle and I Section- Rice Milling Machine Iron, Welding Wires, Binding Wires, Barb Wires, Vandalised Motorcycle parts, Vandalised Vehicle Parts, Vandalised Wheel barrows, and Household Utensils/properties suspected to have been stolen.
Odumosu further disclosed that the suspects are currently undergoing investigation and due diligence would be followed in ensuring that justice is served.
He reaffirmed the command’s dedication to safeguarding national assets and infrastructure and reiterated its zero-tolerance policy toward vandalism and related criminal activities.
“I wish to reiterate that the FCT Command is poised towards ensuring that all critical infrastructure which is our common heritage are preserved. To this end, we assure the Federal Government, the FCT administration and residence of the FCT of our unwavering commitment and determination to continue to perform our duty optimally, until vandals, scavengers (Babanbola) and other saboteurs are chased out of the FCT.
“I wish to state in clear terms that henceforth, the FCT has become a no-go area for vandals, scavengers and all the hoodlums sleeping under the bridges in the city after which they come out at night under the cover of darkness to vandalise and attack innocent commuters and residents in the streets.
“This is a total war against vandals in the FCT, you have been warned to either repent, relocate to another place or face the wrath of the law because the NSCDC FCT Command will come after you wherever you may be hiding. Whether in the city centre or the various suburbs, we are not going to rest until all of you are flushed out of the FCT,” he said
He urged the residents to cooperate by providing credible intelligence to assist the command in its operations, with assurances of confidentiality.
“To the members of public, I wish to solicit the cooperation of residence in the area of credible intelligence and information that will assist us to serve you better and preserve the aesthetics of the Federal Capital territory. We further assure you of our utmost confidentiality as we understand that your safety just like ours is very paramount,” the commandant assured.