FCT: NSCDC NABS 111 SUSPECTS IN 3 MONTHS

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Between January and March, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), FCT Command, arrested 111 suspected criminals.

In an interview with newsmen on Sunday in Abuja, the Commandant, Olusola Odumosu, stated as much. He said that 102 suspects had been detained for illegal mining, while nine suspects had been detained for damaging public property.

He claimed that after the suspects were arraigned in court, some had already been found guilty and others were either being held on bail or were the subject of additional investigation.

Odumosu further stated that one of the suspects was discharged and acquitted by the court.

While giving a breakdown of the suspects, the commandant said one Munkalu Yakubu and 41 others are in court over illegal mining of gold in Dai village, Kwali Area Council.

“There is also an alleged case of illegal mining of gold against one Ibrahim Talasne and 52 others as well as an alleged case of illegal mining of precious stones by one Saidu Ismail and six others who were arrested at CITEC area in Idu,” he said.

He added that the command also arrested some suspects for vandalizing public infrastructure.

“One Yakubu Mati was arrested while vandalising railway line armored cable at a metro railway station in Idu.

“Similarly, Anthong Batoulumen and three others were arrested for vandalising armored cable at Mabushi.

“Obadiah Ezekiel was also arrested for vandalizing a shop at Games Village while Wodi Sunday, Habib Mohammed, and Jibirin Idris were arrested for vandalising telecommunication assets and theft,” he added.

Odumosu said exhibits recovered from the suspects included a decommissioned telecommunication mast, pumping machine, armored cables, litres of fuel, and gold substance among others.

He also said the command’s intelligence unit had arrested seven persons for allegedly producing illegal firearms.

The commandant warned against vandalising critical national assets and infrastructure, saying anyone caught would be made to face the full wrath of the law.

He assured that civil defence personnel would intensify efforts to make the FCT safe and very tough for criminals.

Therefore, Odumosu, called on residents to be security conscious within their environment and report any suspicious movement to security agencies.