By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Anambra State Command, has arrested a 39-year-old man over the alleged vandalism of an IHS-MTN telecommunications mast at Okpuno, near the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Temporary Site in Awka, Anambra State capital.
The suspect, identified as Anuba Lucky Chisom from Amaputa, Isialangwa North Local Government Area of Abia State, was reportedly apprehended at about 4am on Thursday, October 15, following intelligence received by NSCDC operatives during a routine patrol of the area.
In a statement issued to newsmen, the Head of Media and Tactical Operations of the NSCDC Anambra, SC Okadigbo Edwin, said l the Anambra State Commandant of the Corps, Comdt. Maku Olatunde, confirmed this while parading the suspect at the Command’s Headquarters in Awka on Thursday.
According to the State Commandant, the operatives received information about suspicious movements within the telecommunications mast facility, identified by site number IHS_ANA_0888A, located close to the palace of the traditional ruler of Okpuno.
He said, acting on the information, the anti-vandal team moved to the facility, where they reportedly caught Chisom at the scene with vandalised cables and other components of the telecommunications infrastructure.
Preliminary investigations, according to the NSCDC, indicated that the suspect was allegedly connected to a syndicate linked to the increasing cases of infrastructure vandalism in the state.
The Corps further disclosed that Chisom had confessed to vandalising two other sites before his arrest, reportedly attributing his actions to unemployment.
Comdt. Olatunde commended the operatives for their vigilance and warned individuals involved in the destruction of public and private infrastructure to desist from the practice.
He stressed that unemployment could not serve as justification for criminal activities, warning that the command would not tolerate the vandalism of critical national, state and local government assets.
The Commandant also warned suspected vandals and other individuals involved in economic sabotage to leave Anambra State, insisting that the Corps would intensify efforts to track them down and ensure that anyone found culpable faced the law.
He urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information that could assist security operatives in identifying and apprehending those involved in the destruction of critical infrastructure.
The Commandant consequently directed a thorough investigation into the case, after which the suspect is expected to be charged to court.
