The Kano State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested 19 suspected vandals in various parts of the state within three days.
The state Commandant, Bala Bodinga, disclosed this while briefing journalists at the command’s headquarters on Wednesday.
According to him, the arrests followed intelligence-led patrols and surveillance carried out in Madobi, Tudunwada, Gwale, Minjibir, and Kumbotso local government areas of Kano State.
He explained that the suspects were apprehended for allegedly tampering with electrical installations, communication cables, drainage slabs, and other public utilities. Some were also found in possession of illegal substances.
Exhibits recovered from the suspects included several rolls of aluminium cables valued at tens of thousands of naira, 6.1kg of transformer armoured cables, two rolls of suck and die (sukudai), a short spear (Dan bida), rubber solution (sholusho), a motorcycle, a broken soldering iron, five shovels, and five diggers.
Bodinga stressed that the suspects had been profiled and thoroughly investigated and would be prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others.
“These arrests are a clear warning to all those who derive pleasure in sabotaging our commonwealth by destroying critical infrastructure. Vandalism not only results in huge economic losses but also endangers lives and hampers development,” he said.
The Commandant assured that the NSCDC would continue to strengthen intelligence gathering, intensify patrols, and collaborate with other security agencies, traditional rulers, and community stakeholders to protect public assets.
He also called on residents to support the Corps by volunteering timely and useful information to aid crime prevention across the state.
