By Damilola Abiola
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Lagos on Monday paraded seven male suspects arrested over alleged vandalism of critical infrastructure, theft and other offences, while also handing over three alleged deserters from the Togolese Army to the appropriate government agency for further investigation.
Lagos State Commandant Adedotun Keshinro said the suspects, aged between 27 and 44, were arrested in separate operations across the state over alleged offences including vandalism of telecommunications and power infrastructure, theft of lithium batteries and the stealing of a remote radio unit (RRU) inverter.
Keshinro told reporters at the command headquarters in Alausa that two suspects were arrested on June 27 following intelligence provided by members of the Okun Ajah community and Proton Security Ltd over the vandalism of armoured cables belonging to telecommunications company MTN.
He said operatives recovered the vandalised cables alongside a commercial shuttle bus, popularly known as “Korope”, bearing Benue State registration number MUS109YH, allegedly used in the operation.
The commandant said two additional suspects linked to the case remained at large, adding that efforts were underway to apprehend them.
“Our operatives will not relent until those responsible are arrested and brought before the court if found culpable,” he said.
In a separate operation, the NSCDC said one suspect was arrested in the Sogunle area on June 26 for allegedly vandalising transformer cables.
Another suspect was apprehended in the Lekki area over the alleged theft of eight lithium batteries from a facility on Orchid Road, while investigations are ongoing to identify other suspects connected to the incident, Keshinro said.
He added that another suspect arrested in April over the alleged theft of an RRU inverter cable in Banana Island was already facing prosecution.
The command also presented three Togolese nationals whom it described as deserters from the Togolese Army after they were apprehended by NSCDC operatives in the Badagry area of Lagos.
Keshinro said the three had been handed over to the appropriate government agency for further investigation, while other suspects arrested in Badagry over alleged illegal migration had been transferred to the Nigeria Immigration Service, Lagos State Command.
He warned vandals and other criminal elements to desist from acts of economic sabotage, saying the command would continue to intensify efforts to protect critical national assets and infrastructure across Lagos State.