The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Federal Capital Territory (FCT) command reported the apprehension of 111 suspected criminals from January to March.
Commandant Olusola Odumosu revealed in an interview with journalists in Abuja on Sunday that nine of the suspects were detained for vandalizing public infrastructure, while 102 were apprehended for engaging in illegal mining activities.
Odumosu further stated that the suspects have been brought before the court, with some already convicted, while others have been granted bail or are undergoing further investigation.
He added that one of the suspects was discharged and acquitted by the court.
Giving a breakdown of the suspects, the commandant said one Munkalu Yakubu and 41 others are in court over illegal mining of gold 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.”
According to him, the command also arrested some suspects for vandalising public infrastructure.
“One Yakubu Mati was arrested while vandalising railway line armoured cable at a metro railway station in Idu.
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“Similarly, Anthong Batoulumen and three others were arrested for vandalising armoured cable at Mabushi.
“Obadiah Ezekiel was also arrested for vandalising a shop at Games Village while Wodi Sunday, Habib Mohammed and Jibirin Idris were arrested for vandalising telecommunication assets and theft,” he added.
Mr Odumosu said that exhibits recovered from the suspects included a decommissioned telecommunication mast, pumping machine, armoured cables, litres of fuel, and gold substance, among others.
He also said that the command’s intelligence unit had arrested seven persons for allegedly producing illegal firearms.
The commandant warned against vandalising critical national assets and infrastructure, saying anyone caught would be made to face the full wrath of the law.
He assured that civil defence personnel would intensify efforts to make the FCT safe and very tough for criminals.
Mr Odumosu, therefore, called on residents to be security conscious within their environment and report any suspicious movement to security agencies.
Meanwhile, the commandant said the recently inaugurated female strike force had been saddled with the responsibility of protecting schools in the territory.
The squad will aid in ensuring students, teachers and schools properties in the FCT are protected, he added.
