Police, NSCDC Nab Suspected Vandals of Abuja Highway Manhole Covers
Authorities in Abuja have arrested several suspects involved in the theft of sewage manhole covers from highways. The arrests were carried out by the police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and other security agencies. Efforts are also underway to apprehend their collaborators, particularly those buying the stolen manhole covers.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media to the FCT Minister, disclosed that Minister Nyesom Wike ordered the crackdown on the vandals.
“The Minister, who lamented that Nigerians could go to the devilish extent of removing sewage manhole covers on highways and selling them, thereby putting the lives of road users at risk, vowed that government will do everything necessary to bring the perpetrators to book,” the statement read.
Minister Wike expressed outrage after a viral video showed a man highlighting the dangers posed by the missing manhole covers. The theft has left open pits on highways, endangering motorists and road users.
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“He said it was sad that government will use public funds to put amenities in place for the use of Nigerians, and criminally minded Nigerians will remove the amenities and sell them to Nigerians, who do not mind the danger their nefarious activities pose to their fellow Nigerians,” the statement added.
The Minister also praised the individual who recorded and shared the video, calling his action a patriotic gesture that the nation needs.
The stolen manhole covers were part of recent upgrades to Abuja’s highways. Authorities have vowed to intensify efforts to curb this act of vandalism and hold all perpetrators accountable.
