The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested eight suspected members of a vandalism gang accused of dismantling and stealing public infrastructure across Abuja, including streetlight poles.
Key Highlights
- FCT Police arrest eight suspected members of a vandalism gang in Abuja.
- Five streetlight poles, allegedly cut off at their bases, recovered.
- Suspects arrested at about 3am on October 23, 2026, during a routine patrol in the city centre.
- Gang allegedly operated in the Central Business District, Maitama, Wuse, Garki and Asokoro.
- Suspects to be charged in court after investigations.
The suspects were arrested during an early-morning police patrol in the city centre, with operatives recovering five long streetlight poles allegedly cut off at their bases and stolen.
The police said the gang has been operating across several high-profile districts of the FCT, including the Central Business District, Maitama, Wuse, Garki and Asokoro, targeting public and private infrastructure.
Suspects Named
In a statement issued on Monday, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, identified the suspects as Sani Musa, Ashiru Adamu, Markus Joseph, Suleman Ibrahim, Jamilu Umar, Usman Aliyu, Uzairu Sani and Shafiu Bala.
Adeh said police officers attached to the Central Police Station arrested the eight men at about 3am on October 23, 2026, while conducting routine anti-crime patrol within the city centre.
Preliminary investigations, according to the police, indicated that the suspects belong to a criminal gang specialising in the vandalism and theft of public and privately owned infrastructure.
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Investigation Ongoing
The five recovered streetlight poles, which were allegedly cut at their bases, were taken into police custody, alongside the suspects.
The command said investigations were ongoing and that the suspects would be charged in court upon their conclusion.
The police urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the nearest police station or through the emergency lines of the Nigeria Police Force.
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