The Federal Capital Territory Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has intercepted a truck loaded with vandalised items during a night patrol operation.
Five suspects were arrested in connection with the incident, which took place in the early hours of Saturday, around the Dei-Dei area of Abuja.
The NSCDC FCT Commandant, Olusola Odumosu, during a press conference in Abuja, on Tuesday, said the truck was flagged down near the Aso Radio area of the Kubwa Expressway after it was observed driving without front and rear licence plates.
The vehicle displayed a suspicious registration number, TRN 318ZY KANO, on its windshield and sped off when the patrol team signalled it to stop.
After a high-speed chase, officers intercepted the truck near the Dei-Dei U-turn, close to the Mobile Police Barracks.
Odumosu added, “As soon as the truck was apprehended, the driver and a co-driver ran away with the truck’s ignition key, leaving behind three other occupants who were immediately arrested alongside the truck by our patrol team.
“On seeing the doggedness of our patrol team in ensuring their arrest, the driver and the other guy turned themselves in when they noticed a towing vehicle had arrived to move the truck to our command.
“After surrendering to arrest, the driver was mandated to drive the truck down to the command for further investigation.”
The suspects, identified as Aminu Yusuf (25), Saminu Yusuf (20), Adamu Sani (20), and Suleiman Yusuf (20), all from Bebeji Local Government Area of Kano State, and Usman Jalo (27) from Keffi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, admitted during preliminary investigations that they were transporting the items from Gauta Junction in Nasarawa State to a melting company located in Sabo Wuse, Niger State.
Recovered items included drainage covers, communication mast accessories, bridge shoulder iron pipes, stainless steel pipe clamps, manhole covers, scaffold pipes, aluminium conductors, and barricades from the Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway.
Other items included vandalised vehicle and motorcycle parts, household utensils, and wire mesh.
The NSCDC FCT commandant reiterated the corps’ commitment to protecting critical national infrastructure and assured the public that due process would be followed to ensure justice was served.
In a stern warning, the commandant declared a “total war” against vandals and scavengers, stating that the FCT was now a no-go area for criminal elements.
He urged such individuals to desist from their activities or face the full wrath of the law.
“I wish to state in clear terms that henceforth, the FCT has become a no-go area for vandals, scavengers and all the hoodlums sleeping under the bridges in the city after which they come out at night under the cover of darkness to vandalise and attack innocent commuters and residents in the streets.
“This is a total war against vandals in the FCT. You have been warned to either repent, relocate to another place or face the wrath of the law because the NSCDC FCT command will come after you wherever you may be hiding.
“Whether in the city centre or the various suburbs, we are not going to rest until all of you are flushed out of the FCT,” he warned.
Residents were encouraged to provide credible information to assist the NSCDC in its efforts to curb vandalism.
