By Samuel Ike, Abuja

The Kaduna State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has paraded four suspected vandals arrested for allegedly tampering with and stealing high tension aluminium electricity cables in different parts of the state.The suspects were apprehended in separate operations conducted under the leadership of the State Commandant, CC Panam Musa Buba, at Dalhatu Village in Dutsen Abba, Wusasa, Zaria, and Sabon Gida Village along the Kachia Kaduna Road.One of the suspects, Hassan Abdulkadir, 25, was arrested at Dalhatu Village, Dutsen Abba, Wusasa, Zaria, in possession of approximately 360 metres of vandalised high tension aluminium cable. Following the conclusion of preliminary investigations, he has been charged before a competent court for prosecution.The three other suspects, Shammah Sunday, 32, Bonnet Isaiah, 24, and Livinus Usman, 26, were arrested during a joint operation involving NSCDC personnel and troops of the Nigerian Army on routine patrol along the Kachia Kaduna Road.The suspects were intercepted at Sabon Gida Village while allegedly transporting vandalised electricity cables concealed beneath bags of charcoal in a Volkswagen Golf 3 with registration number MGU 169 HK. They remain in NSCDC custody as investigations continue.The Command described the arrests as a major breakthrough in its ongoing efforts to safeguard critical national assets and infrastructure from criminal elements seeking to undermine public utilities and economic activities.According to the Command, the successful operation further reflects the determination of the Commandant General of the NSCDC, Professor Ahmed Abubakar Audi, to strengthen the protection of critical national assets and infrastructure across the country.Speaking on the development, State Commandant Panam Musa Buba reaffirmed the commitment of the Kaduna State Command to combating vandalism and other acts of economic sabotage. He stressed that the Command would continue to collaborate closely with other security agencies and relevant stakeholders to ensure the protection of public infrastructure.He warned individuals involved in vandalism and related criminal activities to desist from such acts, noting that Kaduna State would remain hostile to criminals targeting public assets.The Commandant also called on residents to remain vigilant and support security agencies by providing timely and credible information on suspicious activities around critical infrastructure, assuring that all reports would be treated with utmost confidentiality and professionalism.