By Monday Ijeh
The Commissioner of Police (CP) in charge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Ahmed Sanusi, has warned purchasers, receivers and dealers in stolen public infrastructure that the command will intensify efforts against vandalism nationwide.
Sanusi gave the warning during a news conference on Friday in Abuja, saying the command had strengthened crime prevention and detection measures to combat the vandalism of public and private infrastructure across FCT.
He said the criminal activities had resulted in significant economic sabotage and exposed residents to serious risks arising from the destruction and theft of critical public infrastructure meant for community development.
“I want to use this opportunity to send a clear warning to all purchasers, receivers, and dealers in stolen public infrastructure that the Police Command in the FCT is coming after you.
“We have commenced extensive investigations and will not relent until every link in the supply, distribution, and disposal chain of these stolen public assets is identified and brought to justice,” he said.
The CP said the command had recorded notable successes through proactive anti-crime patrols and credible intelligence from members of the public, leading to the arrest of suspects linked to vandalism.
Sanusi said operatives, during coordinated operations across Maitama, Garki, Durumi, Jabi, Apo Legislative Quarters, Lugbe and Nyanya, arrested five suspects in connection with the vandalism of public infrastructure facilities.
He said items recovered from the suspects included drainage covers, solar-powered street lights, armoured electricity transmission cables and internet communication cables valued at millions of naira by authorities.
According to him, the stolen items were vandalised by unscrupulous individuals seeking personal gain, thereby contributing to road traffic accidents, injuries to pedestrians and widespread disruption of essential public services.
The CP said the activities had also fuelled street crime in areas plunged into darkness and disrupted electricity supply to entire communities through the theft of high-tension power cables.
“In fulfilment of our commitment to restoring critical public infrastructure for the benefit of residents, the exhibits recovered today will be formally handed over to the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA),” he said.
Sanusi further said that operatives of the command recovered more than 80 unauthorised official and diplomatic vehicle registration plates during investigations into their proliferation and illegal use across FCT.
He said the recoveries followed reports indicating that unauthorised individuals were using diplomatic and official government number plates, prompting the command to inaugurate a comprehensive investigation immediately.
“Upon receipt of the report, I immediately ordered a comprehensive investigation into this disturbing trend,” Sanusi said, adding that the findings exposed a network involved in misuse.
The CP said investigations revealed that suspects used the unauthorised plate numbers as cover to perpetrate criminal activities within the FCT while evading detection, arrest and prosecution by authorities.
“Our investigations uncovered not only the unauthorised users of these license plate numbers but also the production and supply chain through which they were obtained.
“Before you are the license plate numbers and diplomatic license plate numbers confiscated across various areas of the FCT.
“The suspects from whom these license plate numbers were recovered are currently in custody and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations,” he said.
Sanusi pledged that the command would sustain efforts to combat crime and criminality, assuring residents that law enforcement agencies remained committed to ensuring safety and security throughout FCT.(NAN)www.nannews.ng
Edited by Abiemwense Moru