NSCDC Foils Telecom Mast Vandalism, Arrests 24-Year-Old Suspect

Elochukwu Benjamin

Awka

 

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Anambra State Command, says it has arrested a 24-year-old man, Nweke Friday Wisdom, for alleged vandalism and theft of equipment from an MTN telecommunications mast in Awka.

The suspect, who hails from Izzi South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, was arrested at about 7:20 a.m. on Thursday, October 1, 2026, at Esther Obiakor Estate, Agu-Awka.

The arrest followed a distress call over the presence of a suspected vandal at the telecommunications facility.

The Anambra State Commandant of the NSCDC, Maku Olatunde, who disclosed this on Thursday at the Command’s headquarters in Awka, said the suspect was apprehended with items allegedly removed from the mast installation, including DC and armoured cables.

According to Olatunde, preliminary investigations indicate that the suspect allegedly specialises in vandalising telecommunications masts and stealing valuable equipment from them.

He added that the suspect had made useful confessions and would be charged to court after the completion of investigations.

The Commandant reiterated the NSCDC’s commitment to protecting critical national assets and infrastructure, warning vandals to desist from such activities or face the full weight of the law.

He also urged residents to promptly report suspicious activities to security agencies, stressing that public cooperation was essential to protecting critical infrastructure and enhancing security in the state.