Three to Share 36 Months Prison Term for Vandalising Electric Cables

Laleye Dipo in Minna
Three cable vandals arrested by operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps ( NSCDC) in Bida Niger State have been sentenced to a total of 36 months prision term by an Minna Chief Magistrate, Alhaji Mohammed Gimba.

The trio Babangida Aliyu, Shehu Danladi and Abdulmalik Ahmed were arrested by operatives of the NSCDC in Bida on April 21, during their routine surveillance of the ancient town.

The trio had been charged before Magistrate Mohammed Gimba on a two count charge of criminal conspiracy and theft contrary to sections 94 and 287 of the penal code.
They pleaded guilty to the offences fleading to their being summarily tried by the Chief Magistrate who also gave them an option of N40,000 fine each.

Chief Magistrate Gimba while delivering the judgment said the sentence would serve as deterrent to others who have taken vandalism of public facilities as a profession.
The court he said would never be lenient with anyone brought before it for such offence because their activities have negative effect on majority of people in the community where the vandalism took place.

Describing vandalisation as an act of economic sabotage the Chief Magistrate commended the officers and men of the NSCDC for being alive to their responsibilities and urged other security agencies in the state to team up to stop the illegal activities of these vandals.

In his reaction to the judgment, the state Commandant of the NSCDC Mr Philip Ayubas assured that, the corps would continue to carryout it’s duty of protecting government critical national assets and Infrastructure in the federal, state and local government areas nationwide until the country is free of vandalism.