NSCDC parades suspected vandals in Calabar

 

The Cross River State Command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested and paraded five suspected streetlight vandals in Calabar.

They were apprehended in different locations in the state’s metropolis, including Ekorinim and Federal Housing Estate.

Items recovered from two suspects, Mr. Hussaini Abdulahi, 24, from Kaduna, and Mr. Mohammed Inuwa, 27, from Adamawa, who were apprehended in the Ekorinim area of Calabar Municipality, included streetlight poles and metal covers from panel compartments. An 11-meter-long cable, a long wheel spanner, and a knife used to cut and pull electric wires from the streetlights were also found.

On the other end, Victor Ineji, a suspected vandal arrested with two others, stated that he committed the act because he had nowhere to stay. Ineji, 27, made the statement on Tuesday in Calabar during an interview when he was paraded alongside his accomplices, Benjamin Moses from Akwa Ibom, and Ama Abiom from Cross River. The suspect, apprehended in the Federal Housing area of Calabar when residents raised the alarm, was found in possession of an 11-meter-long armored cable removed from the streetlights in the area and a machete.

“I used to live in the area until the person I lived with told me to leave. I had nowhere to go, so I approached scrap metal dealers who told me how much I could make if I vandalized the armored cables. The two people I was arrested with escorted me to carry out the act before we were caught,” he said.

Commenting on the arrest, NSCDC Commander in Cross River State, Commander Charles Brown, said they were still profiling the suspects and would immediately produce them before the court upon completion. Brown, who noted that NSCDC operatives arrested the suspects at various locations in Calabar, said they also recovered rings from the suspects which they believed were charms.

“Since I took over in Cross River, we have had eight convictions which have reduced the rate of vandalism in the state, but it seems like some people are trying to stir it up again. We will not rest on our oars to thwart the efforts of anyone who has not come to the state to do legitimate business but to destroy the good works of the government. I also urge residents to be alert and report suspicious activities in their community to the command and even create vigilante groups to bolster security in their areas,” he averred.

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