By Onyeje Abutu-Joel
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Benue Command on Wednesday paraded five male suspects for alleged criminal conspiracy and unlawful possession of vandalised materials.
The paraded suspects were Gbenda Nyiter, Tersoo Bawa, Hanmakwagh James, Jeremiah Uker and Moses Ikyobo.
The Command Public Relations Officer, Mr Michael Ejelikwu, paraded the suspects before newsmen at the command’s headquarters in Makurdi.
Ejelikwu revealed that the suspects were apprehended on July 3, 2026, by operatives of the corps during a routine patrol along Tse-Ivue and Tse-Dei communities of Guma Local Government Area of Benue.
The spokesperson explained that the arrest followed credible intelligence on the activities of a syndicate specialised in vandalising and trading in public utilities.
He said their men recovered items such as 350-metre aluminium conductors suspected to be cut from power transmission lines and two yellow-coloured unregistered tricycles used for conveying the items.
The PRO stated that a preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects conspired and vandalised power installations around Tse-Dei and Tse-Ivue communities in Guma, causing disruption to electricity supply and economic loss to the government.
Ejelikwu also said during further investigation, one of the suspects, Bawa, admitted to the offence while two claimed to be tricycle riders operating within the Makurdi metropolis.
The PRO disclosed that an investigation into the grave economic sabotage is ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate, adding that the suspects would be charged to court upon completion of the investigation.
Ejelikwu reiterated the corps’ zero-tolerance stance on vandalism of critical national assets, warning that the Command under the stewardship of Mrs Alice Bitrus would do all it takes to end vandalism in Benue by stepping up surveillance on all national assets in the state.
“Let me warn strongly that the State Commandant CC LA BITRUS is personally upscaling efforts at bringing these enemies of national security to justice, and the NSCDC will not relent in its mandate to protect critical national assets and infrastructure.
“Vandalism is an act of grave economic sabotage, and anyone caught will face the full weight of the law,” he said.
He also warned scrap dealers and buyers to desist from patronising vandals, saying that anyone found in possession of vandalised items would be treated as an accomplice under Section 3(6) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act.
The PRO commended members of the public for their continuous support through credible information and urged communities to remain continuously vigilant.
He appealed to Benue residents to report suspicious activities around public infrastructures to the nearest NSCDC formation or through the command’s emergency lines: 09022991199, 08036138130 and 07035830209. (NAN)
Edited by Peter Amine