The operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Anambra State Command, have arrested one Anuba Chisom, male, aged 39, for vandalism of an IHS-MTN telecom mast located at Okpuno, close to UNIZIK Temporary Site, Awka.

Chisom, from Amaputa, Isiala Ngwa North, Abia State, was apprehended at about 4 am on Thursday, following credible intelligence while operatives were on routine patrol within the area.

The NSCDC Anambra State Commandant, Olatunde Maku, disclosed this on Thursday, while parading the suspect at the State Command Headquarters, Awka.

Maku said that the suspect belongs to a syndicate responsible for the rising wave of vandalism in the state.

Maku said, “In the course of routine patrol by the Command’s Anti-Vandal operatives, credible information was received concerning unusual movement inside an IHS-MTN mast with site number IHS_ANA_0888A located at Okpuno, Awka South LGA, close to Igwe Okpuno’s palace.

“The team swooped on the suspect and apprehended him at the scene with vandalised cables and other components of the mast.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect belongs to a syndicate responsible for the rising wave of vandalism in the state.”

He added that the suspect has voluntarily confessed to having vandalised two other sites before now, blaming his action on unemployment.

The State Commandant commended the “eagle eyes” of the operatives and warned that the Corps will not tolerate vandalism of critical national, state and local government assets and infrastructure.

“Unemployment is not a licence for crime; we therefore warned all economic saboteurs and vandals to relocate from Anambra State, as the Command will smoke them out and ensure they face the full wrath of the law.

He also said “Members of the public are enjoined to continue to provide timely and credible information to aid NSCDC operations in the State,”.

Consequently, the State Commandant has directed that a thorough investigation be conducted, after which the suspect will be charged to court.