NSCDC arrests suspected telecom mast vandal in Ondo

By Boye Oyeyemi

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Ondo State Command, has arrested a 25-year-old man, Obasi Ifesinachi, for allegedly vandalising a telecommunications mast in Iju Community, Akure North Local Government Area of the state.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, Daniel Aidamenbor, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, saying the suspect was apprehended during a covert operation launched after residents reported repeated attacks on the critical national infrastructure.

According to the statement, intelligence operatives, working with members of the Iju Community, mounted surveillance around the facility and arrested the suspect on June 25 while his accomplices fled the scene.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect and other members of the gang allegedly broke into the fenced compound housing the mast with the intention of dismantling and stealing valuable equipment. A forensic inspection also showed that the mast had been loosened from its foundation while several components had already been removed.

“The suspect confessed during interrogation that he had visited the facility on several occasions to vandalise its components while evading arrest. He also made a written confessional statement after investigators confronted him with intelligence and physical evidence linking him to the crime,” the statement said.

The NSCDC added that investigations further revealed the suspect had allegedly been banished from Iju Community in May over his reported involvement in the robbery of a residential building located opposite the telecommunications mast.

Ondo State Commandant of the NSCDC, Oluyemi Ibiloye, commended residents of the community for assisting security operatives, urging other communities to remain vigilant and continue supporting efforts to protect critical national assets.

He warned that criminal syndicates involved in vandalising public infrastructure would be relentlessly pursued, assuring residents that the fleeing suspects would be arrested, while the detained suspect would be charged to court after the conclusion of investigations.