The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Anambra State Command, has arrested a 39-year-old man, Anuba Lucky Chisom, over the alleged vandalism of an IHS-MTN telecommunications mast at Okpuno, near Nnamdi Azikiwe University’s temporary site in Awka.
The suspect, a native of Amaputa, Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area of Abia State, was arrested on Thursday, October 15, 2026, following credible intelligence received by NSCDC operatives during routine patrol.
The NSCDC State Commandant, Maku Olatunde, disclosed this while parading the suspect at the Command Headquarters in Awka.
Olatunde said the Command’s Anti-Vandal operatives received information about suspicious movements inside an IHS-MTN mast with site number IHS_ANA_0888A, located at Okpuno, Awka South Local Government Area, near the palace of the Igwe of Okpuno.
He explained that the operatives swiftly moved to the scene, where they apprehended the suspect with vandalised cables and other components of the telecommunications facility.
Angel Network News (ANN) reports that NSCDC spokesperson, SC Okadigbo Edwin in a press statement, noted that
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect belonged to a syndicate allegedly responsible for the rising incidents of vandalism in the state. He also reportedly confessed to vandalising two other sites, attributing his actions to unemployment.
The Commandant commended the operatives for their vigilance and warned that the Corps would not tolerate the vandalism of critical national, state and local government assets and infrastructure.
He stressed that unemployment was not an excuse for criminal activities, warning vandals and economic saboteurs to desist from such acts or face the full weight of the law.
Members of the public were also urged to provide timely and credible information to assist the Corps in its operations across the state.
Olatunde directed that a thorough investigation be conducted before the suspect is charged to court.
In a related development, an Awka Chief Magistrate Court has ordered the remand of another suspected telecommunications mast vandal, Nweke Friday, at the Awka custodial centre pending the conclusion of his case.
The suspect was arrested on October 1, 2026, at Esther Obiakor Estate, Agu-Awka, by operatives of the NSCDC Anambra State Command.
He was subsequently arraigned on three charges relating to stealing and criminal conspiracy over the alleged removal of components of a telecommunications mast.
Speaking on the development at the Command Headquarters in Awka on Thursday, October 15, the NSCDC Anambra State Command spokesperson, Superintendent of Corps Okadigbo Edwin, said the court ordered the defendant’s remand in custody pending the conclusion of the case.
Earlier, the NSCDC prosecutor, Ifeanyi Nwokike, told the court that the defendant allegedly conspired with another suspect, who is still at large, to remove components from a telecommunications mast.
According to the prosecutor, the suspects allegedly loosened nuts and bolts, cut direct-current (DC) cables, armoured cables and other materials before removing them from the facility.
He said the alleged offences contravened Sections 135, 353(2) and 495(a) of the Criminal Code, Revised Laws of Anambra State of Nigeria, 1991, as amended.
Reacting to the development, Commandant Olatunde reiterated the Corps’ zero-tolerance stance on vandalism, describing the act as economic sabotage that threatens lives and undermines critical national infrastructure.
He commended the NSCDC personnel involved in the arrest and assured the public that the Corps would remain committed to protecting critical infrastructure and bringing perpetrators of vandalism to justice.
