NSCDC ARRESTS 39-YEAR-OLD MAN FOR VANDALIZING IHS-MTN TELECOM MAST IN ANAMBRA

Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Anambra State Command, have arrested a 39-year-old man, Anuba Chisom, for the alleged vandalism of a telecommunications mast.

The suspect was apprehended around 4:00 AM during a routine patrol operation by the command’s anti-vandal squad at Okpuno, close to the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University/UNIZIK Temporary Site in Awka.

VANDALISED CABLES AND COMPONENTS RECOVERED AT SCENE

According to the statement issued by the command, security operatives swooped on the facility after receiving intelligence on suspicious activities around the installation.

• Recovered Items: Operatives caught the suspect red-handed at the scene, recovering multiple vandalised copper cables and critical component parts belonging to the IHS-MTN mast.

• Syndicate Confession: Preliminary interrogations revealed that Chisom belongs to an active criminal syndicate suspected of masterminding a rising wave of critical infrastructure vandalism across the state. The suspect reportedly confessed to having targeted and vandalized at least two other communication sites previously.

COMMAND VOWS ZERO TOLERANCE FOR CRITICAL ASSET DESTRUCTION

Reacting to the arrest, the Anambra State NSCDC Commandant strongly condemned the destruction of public utilities, dismissing claims that economic hardship or unemployment excuses criminality.

“Unemployment is not a licence for crime; we therefore warn all economic saboteurs and vandals to relocate from Anambra State, as the Command will smoke them out and ensure they face the full wrath of the law,” the command stated.

The state command has directed that comprehensive investigations be concluded immediately, after which the suspect will be formally charged to court. Residents have also been urged to continue partnering with security agencies by reporting suspicious movements around public infrastructure.