Crime

Tackle vandalism with innovation, NSCDC FCT urges officers

Published

11 months ago

September 8, 2025

The Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Federal Capital Territory Command, Dr. Olusola Odumosu, has called on newly trained personnel to take the fight against vandalism and infrastructure sabotage more seriously, urging them to apply the tactical skills acquired during their just-concluded training.

Speaking on Monday at the passing out ceremony of 174 personnel who participated in a joint tactical capacity-building programme with the Nigerian Army Headquarters Garrison, Odumosu challenged the officers to bring visible change to security operations in the Federal Capital Territory.

“I charge you to go forth as worthy ambassadors of this Command, embodying discipline, excellence, and tactical operational efficiency in winning the trust of Nigerians and bringing to an end, the menace of vandalism of public infrastructure such as the streetlights, manhole covers, crash barriers, armoured cables, power and communication installations and a host of other assets in the FCT,” he said.

The training, which was themed “Enhancing Tactical Efficiency Through Modern Security Tools,” was aimed at equipping NSCDC personnel with skills to handle contemporary security threats.

Odumosu stressed that the threats facing the country — from banditry and kidnapping to cyber intrusions and drone-enabled crimes — demand more than just traditional methods of policing.

“The theme of this training is both apt and timely. It speaks directly to the urgent realities of modern-day security challenges confronting our dear nation and the urgent need to combat them, head-on,” he said.

He added that modern challenges require not only commitment and courage but also the use of advanced tools and up-to-date tactical knowledge.

“The skills acquired through this training will translate into stronger surveillance capacity, quicker response times, and improved protection of assets vital to our economic and social well-being,” he noted.

Odumosu praised the discipline and dedication of the participants, noting that their completion of the course is a sign of their readiness for higher responsibilities.

“By successfully completing this programme, you have demonstrated your readiness to adapt to new challenges and embrace innovation in service delivery,” he said.

He also told the officers that their training should not stop with them, urging them to share the knowledge with colleagues across the command.

“You are now custodians of specialised knowledge, and it is expected that you apply it with professionalism, discipline, and a strong sense of duty. You must also serve as multipliers of knowledge, cascading the training to your colleagues so that we can strengthen the operational capability of the corps as a whole.”

The commandant expressed confidence that the training would yield practical results, including an increase in arrests of vandals and a reduction in infrastructure-related crimes across the territory.

“I assure you that this unique training would be a catalyst for drastic reductions in reported cases of vandalism, theft of public infrastructure, and a surge in the arrests of vandals and other criminal elements within the FCT and its environs,” he said.

While commending the Nigerian Army for its role in the training, Odumosu described the collaboration as a model of inter-agency cooperation.

He also thanked the NSCDC Commandant General, Prof. Ahmed Audi, for supporting the FCT command’s capacity development initiatives.

Just last month, the NSCDC FCT Command apprehended a truck suspected of transporting vandalised streetlight poles out of the city.

The vehicle, loaded with the items, was intercepted by the Command’s Critical National Assets and Infrastructure crack team during a routine 24-hour patrol around the Jabi area.

The truck, reportedly headed to Kano, was flagged down by officers, but the driver and his assistant fled the scene, abandoning the vehicle. The suspicious contents were later confirmed to be vandalised infrastructure, prompting the command to impound and tow the truck for further investigation.

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Crime

PHOTOS: Two Nigerians sentenced to 7 years imprisonment for armed robbery in Kuwait

Published

4 hours ago

July 21, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

Two Nigerian nationals have been sentenced to seven years in prison for armed robbery in Kuwait.

The Kuwait General Department of Criminal Investigation in Ahmadi Governorate arrested the two individuals over alleged involvement in an armed robbery and theft of a currency exchange shop in Mahboula, in January 2025.

The Court of Appeal on Monday, July 20, 2026 upheld the imprisonment of the defendants for seven years and six months in connection with the robbery and theft.

The Second Circuit of the Court of Appeal, headed by Counselor Nasr Salem Al-Haid and comprising Counselors Mutaib Al-Aradhi and Saud Al-Sane, upheld the ruling against members of a Nigerian gang involved in the robbery and theft of the money exchange shop.

The Public Prosecution had charged the first four defendants with stealing money from the exchange shop, with the second defendant using a fake gun and enabling the third and fourth defendants to steal the money with the assistance of the first defendant.

The fifth defendant was charged with participating with the defendants, agreeing to commit the crime, helping them conceal the stolen goods, and supplying them with the money obtained from the robbery and theft.

The Criminal Court had sentenced the first and fifth defendants in person, while the remaining defendants were sentenced in absentia.

The court had initially sentenced the first four defendants to seven years’ imprisonment and the fifth defendant to six months’ imprisonment after amending the description and charges.

The Court of Appeal later upheld the ruling, according to a report published by Al Rai newspaper.

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Crime

PHOTOS: Cross River police arrest alleged fake doctor for operating illegal mobile clinic

Published

4 hours ago

July 21, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

The Cross River State Police Command has arrested one Udeme Emmanuel Ekpeme, “m”aged 39, over allegations of impersonation, obtaining money by false pretence, and the unlawful use of medical equipment.

The suspect was arrested by Police officers attached to Uwanse Division ,Calabar South following a complaint lodged by Mrs. Edemawan Samuel, 45, who alleged that the suspect falsely presented himself as a medical doctor and fraudulently obtained the sum of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500,000) from her under the false promise of securing employment for her children at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH).

Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspect allegedly used the false representation to deceive the complainant into parting with the money. Relevant exhibits believed to be connected to the case were recovered during the investigation, and the suspect is currently in police custody.

Confirming his arrest to newsmen, the spokesperson of the command, ASP Eitokpah Akata, said state Commissioner of Police, has directed that a thorough investigation be carried out to establish the full circumstances surrounding the case and determine whether there are other victims. Akata added that upon the conclusion of investigations, the suspect will be charged to court if sufficient evidence is established.

He mentioned that the command is actively conducting a discreet investigation into the matter to uncover the full extent of the suspect’s activities and identify any other possible victims or accomplices. Members of the public are assured that further updates will be provided as investigations progress.

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Crime

PHOTOS: NSCDC uncovers alleged fake university, rescues 106 youths in Badagry

Published

4 hours ago

July 21, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Badagry Area Command, has uncovered an alleged fake university operating from a three-bedroom apartment in Ilado, Olorunda Local Council Development Area, of Lagos State, and rescued 106 youths allegedly lured into the scheme. AkwaIbom News

The Corps also arrested the alleged proprietor of the institution, which reportedly recruited young people from different parts of Nigeria and neighbouring West African countries with promises of admission into a foreign university.

The operation, carried out in the early hours of Monday after days of intelligence gathering and covert surveillance, exposed what security officials described as an alleged fraudulent academic and recruitment scheme.

The youths, mostly aged between 19 and 24, were taken into protective custody by the NSCDC for profiling and further investigation.

Confirming their arrest to newsmen, the Badagry Area Commander of the NSCDC, Chief Superintendent Gbenga Ekunola, said the operation followed credible intelligence received by the command on activities at the apartment.

“We got reliable intelligence about the activities going on there. Our officers monitored the place for days before moving in. We have arrested the proprietor, who is assisting with our investigation, while the students have been taken into our protective custody.”

Preliminary investigations indicated that unsuspecting young people were allegedly persuaded to pay admission and processing fees after being promised admission into a foreign tertiary institution.

The victims reportedly paid between N200,000 and N1.5 million, while some foreign nationals and other participants allegedly paid between $400 and $500.

However, the alleged admission scheme reportedly came with a recruitment condition, with participants encouraged to bring in more people in return for commissions.

The arrangement allegedly operated like a chain marketing or Ponzi scheme, with participants promised increasing financial rewards based on the number of new students they recruited.