The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Katsina State has made significant strides in combating vandalism of public infrastructure, with the recent arrest of two suspects involved in separate incidents.
The NSCDC’s anti-vandal team, acting on a tip-off, apprehended Ma’aruf Yusuf, 20, from Makudawa Quarters in Katsina metropolis.
Yusuf was caught vandalizing streetlight cables at Mangagarin Makudawa in Katsina LGA.
Although he had accomplices, identified as Aliyu (alias Chakal) and Haduwa, they managed to flee upon sighting the anti-vandal patrol team. Yusuf attempted to resist arrest, even brandishing a knife, but was eventually subdued.
During the investigation, Yusuf admitted to using tools like a digger and shovel to extract the streetlight cable.
It was uncovered that they had previously vandalized and sold electric wire from the same location to scrap dealers in Kofar Guga Garage. They reportedly sold 10kg to Malam Ali for N8,000 and 15kg to Ayi Guda for N7,500.
In another incident, Gaddafi Sani, a 25-year-old student of Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, Katsina, was arrested for allegedly vandalizing electrical fittings in a male hostel.
Sani was apprehended by NSCDC and university security personnel after he was caught stealing electric wires from the ceiling of a room in Block D of the male hostel. This wasn’t the first time the university reported vandalism incidents on its premises.
Recovered items from Sani included scissors, a small flashlight, five rolls of insulated copper wire, and eighteen rolls of electrical cables.
NSCDC Commandant Jamilu A. Indabawa praised the efforts of his team and urged residents to abide by the law.
He reassured the public of the command’s dedication to fighting vandalism and other criminal activities, emphasizing the importance of community cooperation in providing actionable intelligence to apprehend criminals.
