FCT NSCDC URGE COMMUTERS, RESIDENTS TO REPORT STREETLIGHTS HIT AND RUN DRIVERS

The Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, Olusola Odumosu, PhD, has frowned at the rate of vandalism of streetlight poles by hit and run drivers in the territory and warned them to desist from knocking down streetlights poles or risk prosecution.

The Commandant who described such drivers as reckless, urged residents of the FCT, especially commuters plying different routes in the Capital Territory to report to the Corps, anyone who hits down streetlight poles and runs away.

“Incase you see anybody knock down a street light pole, you can do well by taking pictures of their number plates because you may not be able to apprehend them on our behalf because of security concerns.

“Once such images or videos are sent to our hotlines 09166229882 or 08159066244 and social media accounts, we will surely act on them immediately.

"Vandalism of Critical Assets and Infrastructure is not just a crime against the government, it is a grievous crime against humanity and residents of the FCT who are the end users," Odumosu said.

The Commandant said that the existing partnership with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) will enhance prompt and accurate identification of such road offenders.

“And that is one of the essence of synergizing with FRSC and the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) since they are the custodians of number plate registration.

“In case there are such incidences we can track or trail any hit and run driver easily with information from their data base.

“With this effort, even if we cannot totally eradicate vandalism of Critical National Asset and Infrastructure (CNAI), we can bring it to the barest minimum,” he said.

According to him, it was imperative to hold vandalism suspects accountable for their crimes of destroying public infrastructure.

“Before they're able to run away, we should be able to hold the driver accountable and further prosecute them.

“There is need to make scapegoats out of one or two road users who believe they can knock down or destroy our road infrastructure, without facing the consequences.

“We must entrench discipline on our roads and enforce necessary punishments for such act of impunity so as to serve as deterrent to others in this category," Commandant said. 

He appealed to FCT residents to complement the effort of Government by protecting these infrastructure and added that at different occasions, the Corps had sought the intervention of the Department of Facilities Maintenance and Management, Abuja Metropolitan Management Council, FCTA, in removing and re-installing vandalised streetlights.

“We have at various occasions had to hire cranes to pack some of these streetlight poles from the road corridors to our Command in order to prevent vandals from stealing them, after which we informed the facility maintenance and management department to evacuate them from our premises.

He reiterated that protection of CNAI should not be left at the doorsteps of security agencies alone.

“You know that no matter how much our numbers are, we can't be everywhere at the same time, so we need Nigerians to support us.

He however said that the NSCDC in collaboration with sister agencies will continue to restrategies and redouble efforts in ensuring adequate security of lives and property in the FCT.

“We are doing everything possible to be ten steps ahead of them and that is why we are getting results,” he said.

He further warned vandals or any person with the intention of vandalising and stealing CNAI to desist or be ready to face the wrath of the law.

DSC MONICA Ojobi

FCT CDPRO 

Ag.