•The suspects
Operatives of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command have arrested five suspects over alleged theft of manhole covers, solar street lights and armoured cables in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
The Commissioner of Police in FCT, CP Ahmed Mohammed Sanusi, disclosed this during a press briefing at the Command today.
He said the vandalised items were recovered during coordinated operations across Maitama, Garki, Durumi, Jabi, Apo Legislative, Lugbe, and Nyanya Areas of the FCT, reports Daily Trust.
He gave the names of the arrested suspects as Godwin Aja, Mustapha Nasiru, Ibrahim Garba, Abdulrasheed Saleh and Dabarani Mufitafa.
According to him, the vandalised items included armoured cables used for the transmission of high-voltage electricity, and internet communication cables worth millions of naira.
He said it was unfortunate that few unscrupulous individuals embarked on vandalising such items for personal gain, which he said has directly contributed to road traffic accidents, injuries to pedestrians, increased incidents of street crimes in areas and thereby plunging residents into darkness.
“Hence, I want to send a clear warning to all purchasers, receivers, and dealers in stolen public infrastructure that the FCT Police Command is coming after such people,” the CP warned.
CP Sanusi disclosed that the command had commenced extensive investigations and would not relent until every link in the supply, distribution, and disposal chain of the stolen public assets is identified and brought to justice.
He said the exhibits recovered will be formally handed over to the Director, Facility Maintenance, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) for necessary action towards their reinstallation.
The police commissioner said the suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigation.
