NSCDC nabs five suspected streetlight, transformer vandals in Kwara

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Kwara State Command, has arrested five suspects for alleged involvement in the vandalisation and theft of transformer and streetlight cables in Ilorin.

The suspects, Samson Akintola ‘Male’ 21, Muhammed Zakariya ‘M’ 19, Mohammed Monsur ‘M’ 20, Ibrahim Hamida ‘M’ 19, and Kabir Abubakar ‘M’ 24, were apprehended at Tanke, at about 1:00 a.m. on Saturday, through a joint operation conducted by personnel of the Tanke Division corps and members of the Tanke Community Vigilante Group (VGN).

During the operation, the team intercepted the suspects in possession of vandalized transformer and streetlight cables, suspected to have been removed from Asa Dam, Sapati Area, in Ilorin.

According to the spokesman of the command, Ayoola Micheal Shola, “Items recovered include vandalized transformer cables, streetlight cables and burnt copper wires.

“Preliminary investigation indicates a case of willful vandalization and theft of public electrical installations, in violation of Section 1(9) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap M17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”

He disclosed that the suspects are currently in custody and will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other accomplices connected to the crime.

Reacting to the development, the State Commandant, Dr Umar Mohammed, reaffirmed the command’s unwavering commitment to the protection of critical national assets and infrastructure (CNAI) across Kwara State.

He cautioned individuals and groups involved in acts of vandalism to desist, emphasizing that the corps will not relent in its mandate to safeguard public utilities and ensure that offenders face the full weight of the law.