The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) says it has arrested two suspects in separate incidents involving damage and theft of telecommunications infrastructure in Edo.
Mr Saidi Akintayo, Commandant of the Edo Command of the NSCDC, disclosed this on Tuesday in Benin during a news conference.
Akintayo said the arrests were part of ongoing efforts to protect critical national assets and curb economic sabotage.
According to him, one of the suspects was arrested in Irrua for allegedly damaging an Airtel fibre-optic cable during road construction.
The suspect, whom he identified as Hassan Yusuf, was arrested on Monday along the Auchi Road axis.
According to him, preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect allegedly damaged the communication infrastructure without exercising due caution or taking steps to safeguard the facility during construction work.
“The command wishes to emphasise that all contractors, operators and individuals engaged in excavation or construction activities must ensure proper coordination with relevant authorities to prevent damage to protected infrastructure,” he said.
He noted that fibre optic cables remained critical national assets that support communication services, business operations and national development.
He reminded members of the public that wilful destruction, tampering with or unauthorised interference with telecommunications infrastructure is punishable under relevant laws, including the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.
In a separate incident, the NSCDC boss said operatives earlier arrested a man for allegedly stealing telecommunications equipment from an IHS Towers facility along Ugbor Road in Benin City.
He said personnel of the command were on patrol when they acted on credible intelligence that led to the suspect’s arrest.
According to him, preliminary findings showed that the suspect allegedly gained unauthorised access into the facility and removed a Remote Radio Unit (RRU).
This, he said, caused service disruption in the area.
“Upon noticing the service interruption, the facility operators alerted the NSCDC and personnel of the command immediately swung into action, leading to the apprehension of the suspect,” he said.
Akintayo said investigations were ongoing to establish all the facts surrounding both incidents and determine whether other persons were involved.
He reiterated the command’s commitment to protecting critical national assets and infrastructure across the state.
“The NSCDC command in Edo remains committed to the protection of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure across the state.
“We will continue to intensify surveillance, sensitisation and enforcement actions against all forms of vandalism and economic sabotage,” he said.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and to provide timely, credible information to security agencies to support efforts to safeguard essential national infrastructure.
He assured the public that anyone found culpable of sabotaging critical infrastructure would face the full wrath of the law.
