The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested suspected vandals of power installations worth N350 million.
The NSCDC Public Relations Officer (PRO), Babawale Afolabi, said this on Monday in Abuja during an on-site assessment of some areas in Abuja.
themomentng reports that operatives of the NSCDC Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad (CGsSIS) took newsmen to assess some vandalised poles in Gwagwalada, Abuja.
Speaking at Gudu market, where one of the buyers was arrested, Afolabi said the syndicate comprised 11 principal members.
He said two members were currently on the run, adding that efforts were ongoing to apprehend them.
Afolabi explained that the syndicate specialised in pulling down high-tension concrete and steel poles.
He said the suspects stripped massive lengths of aluminium conductors, also known as high-tension electric cables, and funnelled them into a lucrative black market recycling ring.
He said the apprehension of the first suspect, a notorious electrical line vandal, led to the arrest of the group head, who is an Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) ad-hoc staff.
“The AEDC ad-hoc staff weaponised his insider knowledge and technical expertise, knowing precisely how to single-handedly install electric transformers, relocate and adjust electric poles, and identify live versus dead high-tension lines,” he said.
According to the spokesperson, in early January, the syndicate stole about 900 metres of aluminium conductors in Sabon Gari, Gwagwalada.
“Towards the end of that same month, at the same location, they extracted more, effectively disconnecting twelve consecutive poles in the community.
“In February, the group harvested another 900 metres of aluminium conductors from six poles on the Abaji expressway, returning days later to pull down six more poles in the immediate vicinity,” Afolabi said.
He added that in early June, six more poles were stripped along Abaji Road, while in mid-June, six additional poles were stripped of aluminium conductors.
The PRO reiterated that because stolen infrastructure required a ready market, the syndicate operated an extensive, multi-layered commercial disposal network based primarily in Dei-Dei and Gudu Markets in Abuja.
Afolabi disclosed that financial records revealed direct transactions between the group leader and a middleman totalling over N100 million between March 11 and May 14.
“The stolen aluminium conductors were sold for as little as N1,000 or less per metre.
“One of the commercial buyers, C-Max Investment Electrical Co. Ltd, purchased over N43 million worth of stolen aluminium conductors.
“Bank analysis of an account linked to God Electrical Ventures revealed over N13 million in direct sales of vandalised infrastructure,” he said.
He said to completely dismantle the distribution network, the corps has secured directives to execute immediate legal and operational steps.
According to him, the steps include obtaining search and arrest warrants to raid the business premises and residences of all those who transacted with the alleged vandals to ensure recovery of stolen property.
“Secure court orders to seal off their business premises at Dei-Dei and Gudu markets.
“Place strict Post-No-Debit (PND) orders on all identified accounts linked to the suspects and all who transacted with them,” he said.
The PRO said the CGsSIS, under the orders of NSCDC Commandant General Ahmed Audi, would leave no stone unturned in ensuring that saboteurs of critical national assets and Infrastructure were prosecuted.
“Any saboteurs, vandals, and criminal syndicates hiding behind corporate fronts or utilising insider knowledge to plunge communities into darkness will be hunted down and brought to justice, regardless of where they hide,” he said.
He said the NSCDC boss lauded the intelligence gathering and operational professionalism of the squad.
Audi commended the public for providing vital intelligence that aided the arrest and successful operation.
“We urge citizens to continue reporting suspicious activities around power installations and public infrastructure,” Audi said.
