Four suspects have been arrested by operatives of the Cross River State Command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) for allegedly vandalising electrical installations in the state.
The installations belong to the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC).
Speaking at the Command headquarters in Calabar South while parading the suspects before newsmen, the NSCDC State Commandant, Dr Benito Eze, said that the suspects were arrested at various locations in Obudu Local Government Area of Cross River while vandalising PHEDC transformers in the area.
He said that the suspects were arrested following a tip-off by the youths of Obudu community.
“Following a process of intelligence which we have gathered, these vandals operate in a cartel, they have people who sponsor them in this illegal act, and they come back later to receive the stolen materials. They have vandalized a lot of transformers and power lines across the local government, and have rendered the local government of no power for a period of six months”, he said
The Commandant said that investigation was still ongoing, adding that as soon as it was concluded, all the parties connected to the act would be charged to court.
He attributed the success of the Command in apprehending transformer vandals in the state to the cooperation from its officers and men as well as members of the public.
The NSCDC however warned members of the public to desist from criminal acts, adding that nobody would be spared if caught.
He said, “Men of the NSCDC in Cross River are not sleeping, we are awake and strong in making sure that transformer vandals and others who destroys public utilities are brought to book”.
He commended members of the public for giving out timely and accurate information to the corps, adding that every information given is filtered and treated as important.