The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Benue state command, has paraded 12 suspects for sundry crimes including vandalization of transformers and rail lines in the state.
Among them is a 23-year old Jude Wombo, who confessed to stealing electric cables worth over N1 million and selling same for a paltry sum of N50,000.
Wombo, paraded alongside 11 others, by the Benue State NSCDC Commandant, Philip Okoh, after he vandalised a transformer at Akajime area of Gboko Local Government AArea of the State.
The 23 year old who said he regrets his actions stated that hunger and poverty pushed him into the crime.
He told journalists that he went into the crime with one Saawuan Sughnen about three months ago and has participated in the vandalizing three different transformers.
He alleged that he sold the armoured cables stolen from the transformers to one Aliyu Saidu through a middle man named Salihu as scraps.
Saidu, who was also among those paraded, claimed he has been into the business of buying condemned iron.
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He maintained that he had never met Wombo or transacted any business with him before but, however, could not deny he knew Salihu.
Also paraded for criminal conspiracy, wilful destruction of critical national assets (rail tracks) and being in possession of vandalized items were Kunde John, Amos Iorhegon, Terhungwa Nathaniel, Aondohemba Jato and Dajiru Musa.
Others including Aondosoo Yanmeer, Fidelix Msughter and Aondowase Yanmeerwere also paraded for vandalizing armoured cables while Ugera Paul was suspected to have stolen a motorcycle.
Speaking, NSCDC Commandant, who stated that everyday is for the thief and one day is for the owner, disclosed that all the suspects have confessed to their various crimes and would soon be charged to court for prosecution.
The Commandant who revealed that five persons have been convicted between June 2021, when he resumed as Commandant and now, warned all criminal minded persons and their supporters to vacate Benue State or be ready to face the long arm of the law.
