By Ikemefuna Asika, Awka
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Anambra State Command has arrested a syndicate of four persons who specialize in vandalizing armoured cables and other electrical installations in and around Awka metropolis.
Parading the suspects at the Command Headquarters, Awka on Friday , State Commandant, Edwin Osuala said the arrest followed credible information received from a concerned citizen who saw a group of persons evacuating armored cables from an electrical installation in Awka.
He stated that ” At about 0630hours on Monday, 4th December, 2023, the command received a distress call of some group of persons vandalizing armoured cable behind Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square Awka .
“Upon the information, operatives of the command swung into action and arrested the following four suspects with bundles of vandalized armoured electric cable;
i. Monday Chukwu’ m’ aged 37,of Ntezi Ebonyi State
ii. Okwudiri Nnaji ‘m’ aged 29 of Idodo Nkanu East Enugu State
iii. Agu Ikechukwu ‘ m’ aged 20 from Ehamufu Isiuzo LGA Enugu State and
iv. Chinecherem Idoho ‘m’ from Uboloafor Udenu LGA Enugu State .
“When interrogated, all the suspects confessed to the crime and mentioned one KC ‘m’ now at large , as their accomplice” he stated.
According to DSC Edwin Okadigbo, the Command PRO, preliminary investigations revealed that the armoured cables are part of the 33KV dedicated Airport Feeder from Awka Substation that supplies power to Anambra International Cargo Airport, Umuleri.
The suspects admitted to using handsaw and cutter to severe and strip the electric cables before selling the items as scrap.
Meanwhile, the State Commandant, Osuala, has ordered the Investigation and Intelligence Department to activate mechanism in arresting the fleeing suspect in connection with the offence and upon completion of discreet investigation, arraign all the suspects in court.
He however, frowned at the activities of power installation vandals in the State who he described as economic saboteurs, saying that vandalism of electricity network infrastructure is a serious offence punishable with a maximum sentence of life imprisonment under Section 1(9) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act LFN 2004.
He assured the public that the Corps is fully prepared to protect all Critical National Assets and infrastructure in and around the State.
