NSCDC Arrests 16 Suspected Vandals, Thieves, Illegal Miners In FCT

A total of sixteen suspects have been arrested in separate operations across the Federal Capital Territory by the Tactical Squad of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for offences including vandalism, theft, and illegal mining.

The arrests were made by the FCT Command’s Critical National Assets and Infrastructure unit, which has been conducting 24-hour surveillance to protect public infrastructure.

The arrests were announced in a statement on Friday by the Acting Public Relations Officer of the NSCDC FCT Command, Monica Ojobi.

According to the statement, the suspects were apprehended during late-night operations while attempting to steal items such as armoured cables, galvanised pipes, telecommunications equipment, and other household materials.

Three suspects—Mubarak Barau (29), John Yakubu (24), and Shamsudeen Usman (25)—were arrested in the Central Area with stolen items from the National Agricultural Development Fund. Recovered items included eight rolls of armoured cables, an LG outdoor air conditioner, a sound speaker, two plastic chairs, two bags of electrical cables, a travelling bag containing clothes, and a saw.

At Brains and Hammers Estate in Apo Dutse, near ShopRite, three more suspects—Danjuma Jerome (25), Maah Ishiaka (28), and Shefiu Muktar (30)—were arrested for stealing 16mm electrical wires and criminal conspiracy.

In Jahi District, four suspects—Stephen Istifanus (43), Yakubu Thankgod (25), Danladi Samson (29), and Barnabas Sobok (37)—were apprehended for vandalism and theft of galvanised pipes.

Elsewhere in Kallada by Cocoa, Idu, a 43-year-old man, Saidu Shuibu, was arrested for illegal mining activities.

Additionally, five suspects—Phahat Abba (20), Usman Adama (24), Ali Shefiu (33), Adamu Shuibu (20), and Yakubu Abubakar (21)—were arrested at Kukwaba, Idu, for illegal mining and sand dredging. Items recovered from them included black armoured cables, three shovels, seven diggers, a knife, pincers, two pinches, transformer fuses, a ring boiler, and electrical cables.

FCT Commandant of the NSCDC, Dr. Olusola Odumosu, reaffirmed the Corps’ commitment to safeguarding critical infrastructure in the capital.

“These assets are not for aesthetics; they are essential to make life more meaningful for the residents of the FCT. We must ensure their protection; that is why we are here,” Odumosu stated.

He warned those involved in criminal activities to desist or face legal action, stressing that the Corps would not tolerate such acts.

Odumosu also urged FCT residents to assist the NSCDC with timely and credible information to help combat vandalism and other crimes.