The Katsina State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) says it has arrested two suspected streetlight and electricity cable vandals in the state.
The command’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), DSC Buhari Hamisu, said this while parading the suspects in Katsina on Thursday.
Hamisu said that the arrest was made by the Special Anti-vandal Unit of the command, headed by CSC Musa Adam-Usman, “based on credible intelligence”.
According to him, On June 10, the team successfully apprehended a suspect, 26-year-old Ma’aruf Yusuf, while on a routine patrol.
“The suspect belonged to a team of notorious syndicate that specialised in theft and vandalising public infrastructure.
“During the investigation, the suspect confessed to committing the crimes and revealed that he conspired with Aliyu (alias Chakal) and one Haduwa, who are still at large,” the PRO said.
He said that the suspect also confessed that the gang went to Magangarin Makudawa and dug out the streetlights cable, using digger and shovel.
He said that “on sighting the patrol team, the suspects ran away, while Yusuf was apprehended after they attempted to attack the operatives with knife, double-edged sword, digger and stick.
“Further investigation reveals that they had severally vandalised and removed electric wires of streetlights at the same location and sold 10kg to Ali at the cost of N800 per kg.
“He also sold 15kg to Ayi Guda at the cost of N750 per kg, and both receivers are scrap dealers at Kofar Guga Garage,” he said.
Hamisu said that exhibits recovered from the suspects included one knife, double-edged sword, stick, digger and electricity armoured cables. (NAN)
By Abbas Bamalli
