Fatshimetrie recently highlighted a shocking act of vandalism that took place in Akwa Ibom State, highlighting the dangers of vandalizing electrical installations. The Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) has announced the arrest of five suspects involved in vandalizing electrical installations, including high voltage cables, in the area.
According to the State Commandant of the NSCDC, Mr. Bashar Hussaini, the suspects confessed to the crime and described how they monitored power outages before climbing ladders and cutting the high voltage cables. The suspects were caught in the act while cutting the high voltage cables at the border between Ikot Obio Ekpong and Ikot Ekong villages. The individuals were also involved in vandalizing the electrical infrastructure in the neighboring Atanuk village.
The suspects arrested include Uchenna Uguru, the buyer of the stolen cables; Emmanuel Sampson, Victor Sampson and Kingsley Umoren, the three individuals who committed the vandalism; and Joseph Emmanuel, the motorcycle driver who transported them to the scene of the crime. The police seized three bundles of high tension cables from different locations as well as a motorcycle used in the criminal operations.
The NSCDC Commandant expressed disappointment at the increasing vandalism of public infrastructure, especially electrical installations, in the state and reiterated the commitment of the command to combating the scourge. This highlights the dire consequences of vandalism of public infrastructure, not only in terms of financial costs but also risks to the public.
It is essential that strict measures are taken to deter such criminal acts and ensure the safety of electrical installations that are essential to the daily life of the community. Vandalism of public infrastructure is a crime that affects all of society and it is imperative that action is taken to punish the perpetrators of these reprehensible acts and to prevent future incidents.