General News
KEBBI Government has vowed to apprehend and prosecute any individual caught vandalising public utilities across the state.
Gov. Nasir Idris gave the warning at a meeting with scrap merchants, (Jari Bola), commissioners, special advisers and heads of security agencies in the state held in Birnin Kebbi on Friday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting was convened following rampant vandalism of water works and electrical installations by miscreants.
The suspected criminals used to remove water pipes and armoured cables from transformers for onward sale to scrap merchants.
Addressing the merchants, Idris said, “vandalism of public property, kidnapping and raping of women are crimes; government will ensure that perpetrators are arrested and prosecuted.”
He vowed that his administration would employ all measures to protect public infrastructure from vandals.
Idris lamented that some unscrupulous persons were bent on sabotaging government’s efforts, adding that recently installed street lights in the state capital had also become target of vandalism.
“We will not let criminals go scot free; the law will surely take its course.
“You should report any suspicious character to security agencies, remain vigilant and liaise with my special adviser on security on matters pertaining to suspected vandalised items or stolen property,” the governor advised.
The Special Adviser on Security, Rtd. Col. Danladi Hassan-Ribah, complained to the governor about incessant vandalism of public utilities suspected to be taken to members of the merchants in exchange for money.
He informed the governor that vandals have been ravaging Dukku Water Works, in Birnin Kebbi, the main source of water to the town, removing pipes and armoured cables, saying that such act was affecting normal water supply.
On his part, the Special Adviser on Power and Political Affairs, Alhaji Kabiru Sani-Giant, said that out of the 540 transformers in Birnin Kebbi, 78 transformers had been vandalised.
Speaking on behalf of other security agencies, the Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Alhaji Kabiru Alkammawa, warned that they would enforce the law appropriately on persons tampering with critical national assets and public utilities.
He recalled that recently, the command had apprehended a vandal and receiver of stolen property, adding that they were taken to court for prosecution and now on remand in prison.
Earlier, the Chairman of Scrap Merchants Association in the state, Alhaji Iliyasu Adamu-Gulma, pledged loyalty and support to the administration, affirming that they would cooperate with security agencies to fishout bad eggs conniving with criminals to receive stolen property.
He urged the governor to allocate a permanent site for those in the scap business towards ensuring a centralised operation, “which will pave way for effective monitoring of our daily activities.” (NAN)
23rd March, 2024.
C.E.
Tags: Kebbi
