The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Federal Capital Territory Command has arrested 111 suspected criminals between January and March.
The FCT Commandant, Olusola Odumosu, in an interview with newsmen on Sunday in Abuja, revealed that nine suspects were apprehended for vandalizing public infrastructure, while 102 others were arrested for engaging in illegal mining.
He mentioned that the suspects had been brought before the court, with some already convicted, while others were either granted bail or were still undergoing further investigation.
Odumosu stated further that one of the suspects was discharged and acquitted by the court.
Providing a detailed breakdown, he disclosed that Munkalu Yakubu and 41 others are currently facing charges in court for illegal gold mining 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,” the commandant 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 explained that exhibits recovered from the suspects included a decommissioned telecommunication mast, a pumping machine, armored cables, liters of fuel, and a substance believed to be gold, among other items.
He also mentioned that the command’s intelligence unit had apprehended seven individuals for allegedly manufacturing illegal firearms.
The commandant sternly warned against vandalizing critical national assets and infrastructure, emphasizing that anyone caught would face the full force of the law.
He assured that civil defense personnel would escalate efforts to ensure the FCT is safe and inhospitable to criminals.
Odumosu urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to security agencies within their vicinity.
