NSCDC Arrests Railway Infrastructure Vandals, Illegal Miners in Abuja

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC), have arrested two vandals of railway infrastructure and 11 illegal miners in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja and environs.

According to the FCT Commandant of the NSCDC, Mr. Olusola Odumosu, whose men clampdown on the criminal elements, the two railway vandals were arrested by the Operatives of the Critical National Assets and Infrastructure unit of the command for willfully vandalising rail tracks and traffic lights in Wuse Area of the territory.

Odumosu said the command in collaboration with the Nigerian Army arrested 11 suspects involved in illegal mining activities at Izom, a community located at the boundary of FCT and Niger State.

Parading the suspects, Odumosu informed that the proactive measures taken by the command would serve as a deterrence to other criminals within the territory.

He said: “Our effort is geared towards combating various forms of criminality, particularly vandalism of Critical National Assets and other public infrastructure, illegal mining activities and among others within the FCT.

“We will continue to demonstrate zero tolerance to vandalism and there is no plan to retreat on this mission as they must all be brought to book.

“I have vowed that there is no hiding place for evil perpetrators, so in this vein, active efforts are underway to apprehend their masterminds who are still at large.”

He reiterated that economic sabotage through illegal exploitation of the nation’s mineral resources not only poses serious threats to the ecosystem, and the well-being of the host communities, the nation also loses billions of naira to these illegal operators.

He noted that the apprehended suspects are being investigated and would be subsequently charged to court as they are currently assisting with useful information that would determine their level of culpability or affiliation with other criminal syndicates notorious for illegal mining operations within the FCT.

The commandant used the occasion to warn vandals of critical national assets such as the railways, illegal miners, one chance syndicate, scavengers, and kidnappers that such crimes activities will not be tolerated within the FCT jurisdiction again.

He said: “We remains committed and dedicated to ridding FCT of criminalities and we are working tirelessly to identify and apprehend individuals or groups engaged in criminal activities that undermine the safety and prosperity of the citizens.”