Sixteen Arrested For Streetlights Vandalism In Abuja

Sixteen suspects have been arrested by the Federal Capital Territory Administration FCTA for vandalizing streetlights in the territory.

Coordinator of the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council AMMC, Chief Felix Obuah who disclosed this at a news conference in Abuja said the recent series of arrests followed a crackdown on vandals in the territory.

According to him, more than 16 suspects were arrested in the last one week, adding that on Thursday alone, five suspects were arrested, with two others evading capture.

Obuah emphasized the importance of public vigilance and media collaboration, stating, “Security is everyone’s responsibility. We have enlisted the support of local vigilance teams and hunters, which led to today’s arrests.”

He warned that any individual or group involved in vandalizing government property and or trading in same, would face legal action.

The contractor handling the solar lights installations, Aderemi Rashid, had reported that some equipment were stolen despite the anti-theft measures put in place.

He said; “The equipment used suggests a level of sophistication beyond ordinary miscreants”.

Obuah also disclosed that the expatriate contractor who was earlier arrested for vandalism has been handed over to the police for further processing.

He accused the contractor of damaging infrastructure as part of a ploy to secure future repair contracts, vowing to continue the operations until the city is rid of vandals.