The Anambra State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has apprehended a syndicate of four individuals accused of specializing in the vandalization of armoured cables and electrical installations within the Awka metropolis.

The arrest was made based on credible information provided by a concerned citizen who witnessed the group removing armoured cables from an electrical installation in Awka, as stated in a release by the NSCDC Public Relations Officer, Okadigbo Edwin, on behalf of Commandant Edwin Osuala on Friday.

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The suspects were paraded at the command’s headquarters in Awka on the same day. Commandant Osuala disclosed that the arrest occurred following a distress call received on Monday, November 4, 2023, reporting a group vandalizing armoured cables behind Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka.

The arrested suspects were identified as Monday Chukwu (37) from Ntezi, Ebonyi State; Okwudiri Nnaji (29) from Idodo Nkanu East, Enugu State; Agu Ikechukwu (20) from Ehamufu, Isiuzo LGA, Enugu State; and Chinecherem Idoho from Uboloafor, Udenu LGA, Enugu State.

According to Commandant Osuala, preliminary investigations revealed that the armoured cables seized were part of the 33KV dedicated Airport Feeder from Awka substation, supplying power to Anambra International Cargo Airport Umuleri.

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The suspects confessed to using handsaws and cutters to sever and strip the electric cables before selling the items as scrap.

During interrogation, all four suspects admitted to their involvement in the crime and implicated one KC, who is currently at large, as their accomplice.