Kwara: NSCDC Arrests Two Men For Alleged Vandalism Of TCN Property
Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kwara State Command, has arrested two suspected members of a syndicate allegedly involved in the vandalisation, theft and illegal removal of materials belonging to the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), in what the Command described as a major breakthrough against economic sabotage.
Addressing journalists at the NSCDC Command Headquarters in Ilorin, the State Commandant, Abbas Nda Mohammed, said the suspects, identified as Ishaq Kazeem, 43, and Abubakar Jubril, 41, were apprehended during an intelligence-led operation carried out by the Command’s operatives.
According to the Commandant, the operation followed credible intelligence that led the security personnel to a mechanic workshop in the Zango area of Ilorin, near Oke-Andi Junction, where electrical materials suspected to have been stolen from TCN were allegedly being dismantled for sale as scraps.
He disclosed that preliminary investigations indicated that the brand-new electrical equipment had been unlawfully removed from the TCN Regional Store in Jebba before being transported to Ilorin.
Mohammed said operatives of the Command’s Intelligence Crack Squad stormed the workshop and caught the suspects allegedly using a grinding machine and sledgehammer to destroy the electrical components and extract iron materials.
Items recovered during the operation included a DAF truck with registration number BRK-48-XA (Kebbi), a mini truck marked ABJ-739-FX (Abuja), heavy-duty electrical insulation materials, metal conductor poles, iron bars, a generator, a grinding machine, a sledgehammer, a suspected burnt copper rod and other electrical components believed to be government property.
The Commandant said investigations had been expanded to identify other members of the alleged criminal network and ensure that all those involved are arrested and prosecuted.
He said: “I have declared war against vandals, economic saboteurs and all criminal elements bent on undermining government efforts and threatening our critical national assets and infrastructure.
“Under my watch, there will be no hiding place for criminals in Kwara State. The Command will continue to deploy intelligence-driven operations to identify, arrest, investigate and prosecute anyone found engaging in acts of vandalism, theft of government property or any other criminal activity.”
Reassuring residents of the Command’s commitment to protecting critical national assets, the Commandant said the NSCDC would remain steadfast in safeguarding lives and public infrastructure.
“We will not relent until criminal elements are brought to justice in accordance with the law,” he added.
