The Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) has apprehended a suspect with vandalised transformer equipment worth millions of naira in Akwa Ibom.
Mr Abidemi Majekodunmi, NSCDC State Commandant, disclosed this at a press briefing in Uyo on Monday.
Majekodunmi said operatives of the command arrested the suspect conveying the items in a Toyota Camry, registered Abuja ABC 223 LK.
“We have here a case involving vandalism of transformers. Actually, we have a suspect here with us today, his name is David Utibe Okon, male, aged 30.
“We have him in custody and we have done first information report and in our investigation, we have discovered this act of conspiracy.
“We accosted his vehicle through a strategic partnership with some other critical partners.
“The fact of the matter is that the government provided for public utilities, and some people acted anti-socially by destroying these utilities for personal gain.” They will then claim that there is no power supply.
“We arrested him with this vehicle and the tools he used to commit the crime.” “They have balkanized transformer elements here, and we have armored cables and so on,” Majekodunmi explained.
The commandant stated that the NSCDC would continue to protect critical government infrastructure for the nation’s growth and development.
He urged the people of the state to work with the command to ensure that non-state actors did not destroy the nation’s commonwealth.
“The NSCDC wishes to remind the people of Akwa Ibom State and the people of Nigeria that ownership of public utilities belongs to them.”
“They must act in such a conscientious manner to protect public facilities because the public facilities are there to serve them.” There can be no development without the protection of public utilities.
“We’re talking about the power sector, and power is critical to stimulating development, and when we have such cases of anti-social behavior, it will undoubtedly set our country back.”
“As a result, we must all come to the deck and join hands to ensure the protection of critical assets and infrastructure.”
“The NSCDC is always prepared to carry out its mandate of ensuring adequate protection of lives and government critical infrastructure.”
“If we allow these non-state actors and suspected criminals to carry out their operations, they will return us to the wilderness,” he warned.
Majekodunmi urged parents and guardians to ensure that their children receive proper education in order to avoid such incidents.
The state commandant assured that if the suspect and those still at large are apprehended, they will be charged in court as soon as the investigation is completed in order to serve as a deterrent to others.