Operatives of NSCDC Akwa Ibom State Command have arrested 5 suspects who have unabatedly vandalised power installations including high tension cables, transformers and armoured cables in Mpat Enin LGA Area of Akwa Ibom State.
The arrest was made at about 2:30am on Sunday, 22nd September, 2024 in Ikot Obio Ekpong village in Mpat Enin LGA of Akwa Ibom State. The suspects were caught in the act with the help of the local community, while cutting the High Tension Cables in the border between Ikot Obio Ekpong and Ikot Ekong village. The suspects had also vandalized power infrastructure in Atanuk village, a neighboring village to the two affected villages.
The suspects arrested include: Uchenna Mmaduka Uguru, the buyer of the stolen cables; Emmanuel Monday Sampson, Victor Sunday Sampson and Kingsley Udo Umoren are the three suspects who vandalised the cables, while Joseph Emmanuel was the bike man who carried them.
According to investigations, the suspects confessed to commiting the heinous act. While describing their modus operandi, the suspects narrated that they monitor and ascertain when electricity supply is off, mount their ladders and climb to cut the high tension cables in the wee hours of the night and in places with less residential homes. They went ahead to demonstrate how they cut the cables with bare hands, when there are no tools.
Exhibits recovered includes: three (4) wraps of high tension cables vandalised from different points and a motorcycle used for the nefarious operation.
Comdt Bashar Kefas Hussaini has decried the increasing rate of vandalism of public properties especially power/electric installations and has committed to tackle the menace headlong and make Akwa Ibom State uncomfortable for vandals and criminal elements.
The NSCDC boss stated that the Command will continue to deploy intelligence and community approach to security as it is yielding positive results.
He called on citizens, community leaders, youths, and residents to partner with the Corps in timely dissemination of information of criminal activities in their localities, while assuring that the NSCDC will not only respond promptly to effect arrest, but will diligently prosecute offenders and protect the source of information.
” I want to warn vandals to steer clear of destroying public utilities, and critical infrastructure as they are provided to serve everyone in the society. The NSCDC will fish you out no matter how long you escape. Under my watch, NSCDC will partner with communities and well meaning citizens to ensure that these public utilities are protected. The arrest of these serial vandals who go about at midnight to vandalise electric installations has been down to coordinated intelligence and community engagement. Parents and Guardians should warn their wards, because hardship is not an excuse for crime“
The suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded
SC Friday Ekerete, ANIPR
Public Relations Officer
NSCDC Akwa Ibom State Command