Five Vandals Apprehended in Abuja

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) alongside the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command has detained five individuals suspected of vandalism in two separate incidents in Abuja.

According to a statement from NSCDC spokesperson, CSC Samuel Idoko, the first two suspects, 17-year-old Suleiman Ibrahim and 22-year-old Abubakar Zakari, both from Kano State, were caught near Wuse Market Bridge while in possession of stolen iron poles. They were tracked down from the Arts and Culture Complex, Area 10, Garki, where they had reportedly vandalized the poles for resale to known buyers.

The statement continued, “The suspects are assisting authorities with information that may lead to the apprehension of their buyers.”

In a related case, a tip-off led the NSCDC’s anti-vandal unit to arrest three additional suspects—37-year-old Aliyu Danladi from Kano State, 25-year-old Jamilu Abdulrahaman from Zamfara State, and 38-year-old Usman Ibrahim from Sokoto State—at Durumi 2 pantaker market during the early hours. They were attempting to transport suspected stolen items.

Initial investigations indicate that these individuals are affiliated with a group that frequently possesses stolen or vandalized goods. The recovered items include:

Three electronic billboards
Two solar batteries
One gas cylinder
One generator set
One refrigerator gas cylinder
One iron hammer
One pair of large iron scissors
One air conditioner gas pipe
One Abuja vehicle plate number
Two iron pinches
One machete
Two plastic drums

Authorities have noticed that buyers often arrive at these markets under the cover of darkness with trucks to collect such items for unknown destinations.

The NSCDC FCT Commandant, Olusola Odumosu, PhD, emphasized the need for regulating pantaker markets, which have become hotspots for selling stolen goods and vandalized property. He stated, “To eliminate scavengers and vandals compromising government infrastructure initiatives, it is critical to regulate these markets.”

Odumosu expressed concern over the prevalence of stolen materials, particularly from public roadways and rail corridors, being funneled into these markets. Investigations remain ongoing as authorities work diligently to bring the responsible parties to justice, reaffirming the NSCDC’s commitment to combatting vandalism.

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