The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) command said it apprehended 12 suspected vandals in different parts of Abuja during the nationwide hunger protest.
In a statement by CSC Samuel A Idoko, the agency’s spokesman, on Wednesday, it said three of the suspects were caught in their attempt to vandalise the infrastructure at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja, after scaling the fence of the facility, while other accomplices took to their heels upon sighting officers of the command.
According to the statement, in Jabi, four suspects were arrested for attempting to vandalise the streetlights by the eagle-eyed men of the command on routine patrol everyday within the metropolis and suburbs during the protest.
It noted that one scavenger, otherwise known as baban-bola, was picked up on top of the newly commissioned Wuye bridge for wandering and suspected vandalism at about 3:30a.m at Mabushi area of Abuja when he couldn’t provide any explanation of his suspicious movement at such an ungodly hour.
The FCT commandant warned all miscreants and mischief-makers to steer clear of critical national assets and infrastructures as anyone found wanting will be made to face the full weight of the law.
“Vandalism is a threat to our socio-economic well-being, it causes retrogression in the society and we will do all within our power as an agency to ensure that any act inimical to our collective growth and development is nipped in the bud,” he said.
Dr. Odumosu appealed to residents of the FCT to always alert the NSCDC whenever anyone is seen attempting acts of vandalism as every Nigerian is a stakeholder in the protection of critical national assets and infrastructure.
The NSCDC FCT boss once again appealed to youths in the capital city to embrace dialogue as that is the civilised way to address grievances, destroying public properties does more harm than good to members of the public.
The commandant who has been involved in monitoring the security situation in the FCT since the commencement of the protest, admonished residents to go about their businesses without fear as their safety is guaranteed.
