BY Samad Uthman
The Anambra command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), says it has arrested a four-man gang for vandalising electric cables powering the Chinua Achebe International Airport, Umueri.
During the parade of the suspects in Awka on Friday, Edwin Osuala, the NSCDC state commandant, said the suspects are specialists in vandalising armoured cables and other electrical installations.
He added that they were arrested by NSCDC operatives around 6:30 am on Monday.
Osuala said their arrest was due to credible information handed to the corps by a vigilante resident in Awka, the state capital.
He said the corps were informed that a group of persons were vandalising armoured cables behind Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka.
“Upon the information, operatives of the command swung into action and arrested four suspects with bundles of vandalized armoured electric cable,” NAN quoted the NSCDC commandant as saying.
“Monday Chukwu, aged 37 from Ntezi Ebonyi State; Okwudiri Nnaji, aged 29 from Idodo Nkanu East Enugu State; Agu Ikechukwu, aged 20 from Ehamufu Isiuzo LGA Enugu State; and Chinecherem Idoho, from Uboloafor Udenu, Enugu State,” were named as the suspects.
“When interrogated, all the suspects confessed to the committing of the crime and named one KC ‘m’, now at large, as their accomplice.”
Osuala said preliminary investigation revealed that the armoured cables were part of the 33KV dedicated power line connecting the International Cargo Airport, Umueri Feeder l, from Awka substation.
He added that the suspects admitted to using a handsaw and cutter to strip the electric cables before selling the items as scrap.
Osuala, however, ordered the investigations and intelligence department to activate mechanisms towards arresting the fleeing suspects.
He said all the suspects would be arraigned in court upon completion of a discreet investigation on the matter.
“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, and anyone caught must go in for it,” Osuala said.
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