The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Anambra State Command, has arrested a 24-year-old suspect for allegedly vandalising and stealing equipment from a telecommunication mast belonging to one of the service provider companies.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Head of Media and Tactical Operations, NSCDC, Anambra State Command, Edwin Okadigbo, on Friday.

Okadigbo said the suspect, identified as Nweke Wisdom from Izzi South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, was arrested on Thursday at Esther Obiakor Estate, Agu-Awka, and taken to the NSCDC State Headquarters in Awka.

He said preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect allegedly specialised in vandalising telecommunication masts and stealing valuable equipment from them.

The statement read, “The suspect, Nweke Wisdom, male, 24 years old, from Izzi South LGA of Ebonyi State, was arrested on Thursday, at about 07:20 hours at Esther Obiakor Estate, Agu-Awka, in response to a distress call about the presence of a suspected vandal at the mast.

“The suspect was apprehended with items believed to have been removed from the mast installation, including DC Cable/Armored Cable.

“Preliminary investigation reveals that the suspect allegedly specialises in vandalising telecommunication masts and stealing valuable equipment therefrom.

“Meanwhile, the suspect has made useful confessions and will be charged to court as soon as investigation is concluded.”

The command reiterated its resolve to protect critical national assets and infrastructure and warned vandals to desist or face the full wrath of the law.

“We urge residents to continue reporting suspicious activities, stressing that public cooperation remains crucial to protecting critical national assets and improving security across the state,” the statement added.