NSCDC Arrests 55-Year-Old Suspect Over Fibre-Optic Cable Vandalism in Abuja
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested a 55-year-old man over alleged criminal conspiracy, vandalism and theft of telecommunication fibre-optic cables along the Kugbo–Nyanya axis of Abuja.
The suspect, identified as Monday Williams from Demsa Local Government Area of Adamawa State, was arrested by operatives of the Command’s Critical National Assets and Infrastructure (CNAI) Department during a routine patrol along the Kugbo–Nyanya Expressway, following an intelligence tip-off.
According to the Command, Williams was caught inside a manhole while allegedly removing telecommunication fibre-optic cables.
Two rolls of suspected stolen fibre-optic cables, estimated to measure about 1,500 metres each, bringing the total length to approximately 3,000 metres, were recovered from him.
During interrogation, the suspect reportedly disclosed that he had been in Abuja since 2004 and had worked in the telecommunications and fibre-optic installation sector.
He further stated that after leaving his former employer, he began working independently and met one Emeka in 2013, with whom he had allegedly been involved in cable-related dealings.
Williams reportedly told investigators that Emeka informed him of a job around the Nyanya–Kugbo axis. He alleged that his accomplice entered a telecommunications manhole and removed about 800 metres of fibre-optic cables, alongside another 700 metres belonging to different telecommunications companies.
The suspect also admitted that his experience in handling various types of telecommunications cable installations had enabled him to carry out the alleged vandalism.
The Command said the suspect’s statement further linked him to Emeka, who allegedly contacted him over a purported cable installation job but fled the scene after sighting the NSCDC operatives. Emeka is currently at large.
Speaking on the arrest, the FCT Commandant, Olusola Odumosu, PhD, condemned the activities of infrastructure vandals, warning that their actions have serious socio-economic consequences.
Odumosu said disruptions to telecommunication networks affect businesses and the daily activities of residents, adding that some of the network challenges experienced in recent times could be linked to acts of sabotage.
He warned that anyone caught vandalising critical national assets and infrastructure in the FCT would face the full weight of the law.
The Commandant also assured residents that the Corps would sustain its efforts to protect critical national assets and infrastructure, while urging members of the public to provide useful intelligence to help curb vandalism across the territory.
NSCDC Arrests 55-Year-Old Suspect Over Fibre-Optic Cable Vandalism in Abuja