A total of 11 individuals suspected of being involved in looting and vandalism at the Nigerian Communications Commission Digital Industrial Park in Kano have been apprehended by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, Kano State command. The arrests were made on Thursday, as disclosed in a statement by Ibrahim Abdullahi, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, on behalf of the state Commandant, a copy of which was made available to The Punch on Friday.
Following credible intelligence gathered by the NSCDC’s intelligence and investigation department regarding miscreants who had vandalized and looted facilities at the soon-to-be-commissioned Digital Industrial Park of the Nigerian Communication Commission, the suspects were captured.
“A total of seven suspects were initially arrested while in possession of various items including computer desktop sets, keyboards, LCD TVs, executive chairs, doors, window frames, and drawers. This arrest was carried out by the Anti Vandalism unit, armed squad, and operations department of the Corps,” stated the release.
According to Abdullahi, it is believed that the suspects vandalized and stole the aforementioned items on Thursday during the protests, storing them at a location within the Audu Bako Secretariat complex beside Kano line motor park.
The suspects were in the process of retrieving the stolen goods when the Corps’ personnel apprehended them.
“Additionally, four individuals who vandalized the iron demarcating shields on the state road dual carriageway while transporting the looted items to an undisclosed location have been apprehended,” he added.
On Friday at approximately 11:30 AM, NSCDC operatives on patrol duty successfully recovered a 50KVA Mikano generator from hoodlums in Dorayi. The criminals had vandalized the generator and were attempting to flee with it, but upon encountering the officers, they abandoned the generator and fled.
The generator was responsible for powering streetlights at Dorayi quarters, Gwale LGA.
Abdullahi mentioned that an investigation is underway with the intention of pursuing legal actions against the offenders.
“Under the leadership of Commandant Mohammed Falala, the NSCDC, Kano command is redoubling efforts to protect critical national assets and public utilities within the state,” he emphasized.
He went on to caution criminals against vandalizing public infrastructure, warning that anyone caught in such activities will be arrested and prosecuted.