Wike: Arrested Manhole Vandals Will Face Law

•Police finger steel coy as receiver of vandalised highway duct covers

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, has vowed that the individuals arrested in connection with the theft of sewage manhole covers on highways in Abuja would be made to face the full wrath of the law as a deterrent to others.

He made the vow as an iron smelting company, Abuja Steel Company has been identified as one of the alleged receivers of the stolen manhole covers on Abuja highways.

Wike also assured that the government would ensure that all buyers and users of the vandalised manhole covers and other vandalised public infrastructures would be apprehended and prosecuted for economic sabotage and for imperiling the lives of Nigerians.

No fewer than 50 suspects were paraded yesterday by FCT Police Command for vandalism and theft of manhole covers within the FCT.

The criminals pillaging sewage manhole covers on highways in the Central Business District of Abuja were arrested by the by the Police and NSCDC.

Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media to the Minister, Lere Olayinka, said in a statement that the arrest of more than 50 suspects and recovery of 25 vandalizsed manhole covers was a demonstration of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) zero tolerance for criminalities, particularly vandalisation of public amenities.

He stated that the exhibits of interest recovered from the iron smelting company located along Abuja – Kaduna Road, had been recovered from the company and were in custody of the Police.

“Further investigations going on as to the company and others’ involvement in the removal, purchase and melting of the manhole covers,” the statement said.

The minister, who commended the security agencies for their prompt and decisive actions, described their collaborative efforts as “fantastic” and a further assurance to the residents of the  the FCT that their lives and properties are secured.