The Katsina Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, NSCDC, says it has arrested eight suspected streetlight and armoured cable vandals in the capital city.

The command’s spokesman, DSC Buhari Hamisu, disclosed this while parading the suspects before newsmen in Katsina on Tuesday.

Hamisu said that some of the suspects were arrested before the protest commenced.

He said: “On July 26, the NSCDC’s Special Anti-vandal team apprehended 25-year-old Salmanu Mas’ud of Kofar Yandaka area, in Katsina metropolis.

“He specialises in vandalising public infrastructure and theft.

“During the investigation, he confessed to committing the crimes, in the company of one Aminu, alias ‘Danhajiya’, now at large.

“Further investigation revealed that the suspects had vandalised armoured cable of streetlights at the same location and sold to scrap dealers, now at large, at the cost of N27,000.”

Hamisu also said that on July 28, Shamsu Sani, also 25 years old, of opposite General Hospital, Katsina, and 18-year-old Muhammadu Ahmed of Saulawa Area were arrested.

“The suspects, who also specialised in vandalising streetlights, armoured cables and theft, were arrested for their criminal act at Kofar Sauri.

He said that the suspects confessed to committing the crime.

He said that investigation also showed that, about a month ago, the suspects had vandalised the streetlight armoured cable behind General Hospital and sold it to a scrap dealer, at the cost of N23,000.

Hamisu further said that five other alleged vandals were arrested in different parts of the state and had all confessed to committing the crimes.

According to him, investigations were ongoing and in the end, the suspects would be charged in court.

“The commandant calls on the good people of the state to be law-abiding and obey rules and regulations,” Hamisu said.

He further assured the people of adequate security, saying that the command would not relent in its commitment to uncover all the activities of vandals, economic saboteurs and other criminals.

He appealed to parents to watch over their children and warn them against involvement in criminal activities and other vices.

“The command remains dedicated to ensuring a peaceful atmosphere for the good people of the state and Nigeria as a whole,” he said.