By Mary Emeka
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested a 25-year-old former employee of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), Isaac Zegbe, over the alleged vandalism of more than 15 kilometres of electricity cables valued at over N350 million.
Zegbe was arrested alongside his alleged accomplices during an intelligence-led operation by the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad (CG’s SIS), as the Corps intensified its crackdown on the vandalism of critical national assets.
According to the NSCDC, the suspects allegedly vandalised aluminium conductors along the Yangoji-Abaji axis in the Federal Capital Territory and subsequently distributed the stolen cables to marketers across several FCT markets.
The National Public Relations Officer of the Corps, Assistant Commandant Babawale Afolabi, disclosed this on Monday during a press parade at the NSCDC National Headquarters in Abuja and at the crime scene in Yangoji, Kwali Area Council.
Following a targeted sting operation, NSCDC operatives recovered a significant quantity of the vandalised electrical cables at Gudu Market, where suspected receivers of the stolen materials were also arrested.
One of the alleged receivers, identified as Chijoke Christian, reportedly confessed to knowingly purchasing the stolen cables.
The Corps said it had obtained a court order to seal the shops of merchants linked to the purchase of the stolen aluminium conductors.
Afolabi said the operation formed part of the Corps’ ongoing efforts to protect critical national assets and infrastructure from criminal activities capable of undermining electricity supply and economic development.
He assured Nigerians that the NSCDC would continue to pursue those involved in the vandalism and other crimes, adding that all suspects would be charged to court after investigations and the establishment of a prima facie case.
