NSCDC Nabs Suspected Illegal Miners, Railway Vandals In Abuja

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, FCT Command, said it arrested eleven illegal miners and two suspected vandals of railway infrastructure in Abuja.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Command Spokesperson, Comfort Okomanyi, on Tuesday.

According to the statement, the Command in collaboration with the Nigerian Army arrested the 11 suspects involved in illegal mining activities at Izom, a community located at the boundary of FCT and Niger State, while the two railway vandals were arrested by the Operatives of the Critical National Assets and Infrastructure unit of the command, for willfully vandalising rail tracks, and traffic lights in the Wuye Area of the territory.

The FCT Commandant, Olusola Odumosu, while parading the suspects noted that the proactive measures taken by the Command would serve as deterrence to other criminals within the territory.

Odumosu stated “Our effort is geared towards combating various forms of criminality, particularly vandalism of Critical National Assets and other public infrastructure, illegal mining activities and among others within the FCT.

“We will continue to demonstrate zero tolerance to vandalism and there is no plan to retreat on this mission as they must all be brought to book.

“I have vowed that there is no hiding place for evil perpetrators, so in this vein, active efforts are underway to apprehend their masterminds who are still at large.”

He reiterated that economic sabotage through illegal exploitation of the nation’s mineral resources not only poses serious threats to the ecosystem but also makes the country lose billions of naira to illegal operators.

The Commandant also warned vandals of critical national assets, one chance syndicate, scavengers, and kidnappers that such crimes activities will not be tolerated within the FCT jurisdiction again.

“We remain committed and dedicated to ridding FCT of criminalities and we are working tirelessly to identify and apprehend individuals or groups engaged in criminal activities that undermine the safety and prosperity of the citizens,” the Commandant assured.

The statement further stated that “The apprehended suspects are being investigated and would be subsequently charged to court as they are currently assisting with useful information that would determine their level of culpability or affiliation with other criminal syndicates notorious for illegal mining operations within the FCT.”