By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia
PUBLIC SAFETY in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is noted to be under threat from organised vandalism targeting critical infrastructure.
Promptly, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command, in a decisive operation, has arrested 50 suspects linked to the theft and destruction of manhole covers and other public installations.
Their criminal activity is also noted to have endangered lives by creating hazardous conditions on roads and walkways while also undermining public infrastructure.
The targeted operation, conducted in hotspots such as Kabusa, Garki, Mabushi, and Wuse, resulted in the recovery of 25 galvanised manhole covers, vandalised solar streetlights, 15 streetlight poles cut into smaller pieces, and several iron rods used for flyover construction.
The police also seized three vehicles, including a Volkswagen Sporter bus reconstructed into a diesel tanker and a Toyota Carina II.
Other items recovered include high-voltage AEDC cables, 13 solar panels, seven barrels of diesel suspected to have been stolen, and various tools used in the acts of vandalism.
Further investigations revealed the suspects operate as part of an extensive network, selling stolen manhole covers and other items to scrap dealers and companies.
An Abuja Steel Company, located along Abuja-Kaduna Road, has been identified as one of the alleged receivers of the stolen manhole covers.
Exhibits of interest have also been recovered from the company, and investigations are ongoing to uncover the full extent of their involvement.
Suspects arrested include:
• Bashir Usman
• Shaibu Ibrahim
• Sani Isah
• Ibrahim Hassan
• Mustapha Hassan
• Awal Nawan
• Umar Aliyu
• Auta Umar
• Simon Clement
• Datti Ibrahim
• Mohammed Salim
• Ibrahim Ibrahim
• Ifeanyi-Chuckwu Emmanuel
• Abba Ismail
• Najib Abdul
• Muhammed Lawal
• Rabiu Ibrahim
• Adamu Suleiman
• Abdulkarim Abdullahi
• Haruna Nasiru
• Abdul Nai’ja
• Josua Steven
• Livinus Steven
• Ismail Abdullahi
• Munir Sada
• Ibrahim Yahaya
• Yahaya Musa
• Dahiru Nasiru
• Abdullahi Muhammed
• Monday Barnabas
• Hamisu Iman
• Promise Abanonum
• Ehieze Emeka
• Ehieze Justice
• Mohammed Inusa
• Tijanni Suleiman
• Promise James
• Haruna Auwalu
• Ayuba Danjuma
• Suleiman Abu
• Nafiu Ahmmed
• Kamalu Junaidu
• Zaradeen Yakubu
• Abdulhadi Adam
• Mohammed Ibrahim
• Chukwu Emmanuel
• Douglas Yahaya
• Mohammed Lawal
• Auwal Musa
• Abubakar Kabiru
Also, their operation further uncovered locally made pistols, live cartridges, and charms, which highlight the organised and criminal nature of the syndicate.
Additional recovered items include:
• Five vandalised solar streetlights
• Thirteen large solar panels
• Several iron rebars
• Nine car tyre rims
• Eleven plasma TVs
• Thirteen cement bags
• Two car batteries
• Two gas cylinders
• Two reinforced iron doors
• Three generators
• Several rolls of high-voltage AEDC cables
• A roll of roofing sheets
• One aluminium ladder
• One fire extinguisher
• One pack of tiles
• Several decoders and remotes
Senior Special Assistant (Public Communications and New Media) to the FCT Minister, Lere Olayinka, confirmed that the arrested suspects are cooperating with security agencies, providing critical information about buyers and other syndicate operators.
The Police Command reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on vandalism and theft, promising to bring all offenders to justice.
Meanwhile, as directed by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, the replacement of stolen manhole covers has already commenced across affected areas in Abuja.
The investigation into the involvement of Abuja Steel Company and other alleged buyers of stolen infrastructure has also commenced, with more updates expected in the coming days.
