Troops attached to the 81 Division of the Nigerian Army have arrested nine suspected members of a criminal gang for vandalising items belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) at Lagos breakwater.
The suspects, who all hail from Mashi LGA of Katsina State, were arrested at Bonny Cantonment mammy market, Victoria Island, Lagos by soldiers deployed to maintain peace and tranquillity in Lagos and Ogun states.
Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Olalekan Ayeni, acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, who confirmed the arrest, said the suspects were sighted by a troop on both foot and vehicular patrol.
Lieutenant Colonel Ayeni listed the suspects to include Sabiu Hashimu (20), Fahadu Maaru (22), Muhammed Salaudeen (18) and Samaila Abubakar (20). Others are Abdul Ahmadu (19), Nasiru Shuiabu (19), Tanko Sani (20), Safiyanu Madi (18) and Ibrahim Abdullahi (21).
He said, “Troops of 81 Division Nigerian Army (NA), acting on actionable intelligence, successfully conducted a series of operations across all fronts within the week, targeting criminal activities in Lagos and Ogun states. These operations have led to multiple arrests of suspects linked to kidnapping, theft, and vandalism.
“A group of nine suspects, all from Mashi LGA of Katsina State, were arrested at Bonny Cantonment Mammy Market for vandalizing and stealing bold spikes attached to floating buoys belonging to the NNPC Atlas Curve Company.
“The suspects have been handed over to appropriate security agencies for further investigations.
“Major General Farouk Mijinyawa, General Officer Commanding 81 Division, has expressed appreciation to the public for their support and urged citizens to continue providing actionable intelligence that would help troops to take out criminal elements that might want to disrupt the peaceful atmosphere enjoy in Lagos and Ogun states.’’