THE Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested 17 suspected vandals in Yobe State for their alleged involvement in the destruction of critical infrastructure, including electrical power installations and telecommunications masts.
The arrests were made by the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad (CG’s SIS) following a directive from NSCDC Commandant General, Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi.
Commandant AS Dandaura, who led the operation, revealed that the suspects had been under surveillance for some time.
Acting on intelligence, his team launched a series of raids in Damaturu, the state capital, uncovering multiple hideouts where vandalised equipment was being stored.
The operation targeted three warehouses suspected of being used as storage bases for stolen infrastructure.
The first warehouse was located at Pilgrim Nassarawa bypass, the second at Dujiya behind the new market, and the third at Abari bypass.
The raid lasted several hours and led to the recovery of significant quantities of stolen materials.
Among the recovered items were telecom masts, base transceiver stations (BTS), cabinet metal bags of armoured cables, large quantities of rail track slippers, solar panels, batteries, and water pipes.
These items are believed to have been stripped from national infrastructure, posing a major threat to public utilities and economic stability.
The NSCDC has also launched a manhunt for the suspected mastermind, Aliyu Ajakuta, known as the Chairman of the Scrap Dealers Association in the area.
Authorities believe he played a key role in organising the criminal activities and is currently on the run.
The arrested suspects include individuals aged between 15 and 29, with names such as Umar Saiadu, Mohammed Salisu, Ali Adam, Ibrahim Mohammed, and several others released in an official statement.
The NSCDC has vowed to ensure they face justice.
