The Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Federal Capital Territory Command, Dr. Olusola Odumosu, has called for the regulation of scraps market as well as stricter laws and harsher penalties to tackle the persistent problem of infrastructure vandalism in Abuja.
Odumosu made the call during an appearance on Channels TV’s Sunrise Daily on Wednesday, where he highlighted the challenges faced in curbing the menace.
Speaking on the challenges faced by his team, Odumosu revealed that the current penalties imposed on offenders are insufficient to serve as deterrents.
He explained that many arrested vandals often return to the streets shortly after their release, repeating the same offences due to the leniency of the sanctions.
“The issue we face is that most of these vandals, after being arrested and prosecuted, receive very light penalties, such as fines as low as N2,000 or community service. These are not deterrent enough.
“We arrest someone in January, and by the end of the month, the same person is back committing the same crime.” he claimed.
Odumosu noted that the lack of severe consequences had created a cycle of recurring offences, undermining efforts to secure critical national assets and infrastructure.
He called for stiffer sanctions, including longer jail terms and higher fines, to ensure that vandals are adequately punished and discouraged from returning to their illegal activities.
The commandant also highlighted the role of scavengers in contributing to the vandalism problem.
He explained that these individuals often operate under the guise of collecting scraps but are involved in stealing and damaging public infrastructure.
Odumosu emphasised the need to regulate scrap and metal markets, which he identified as key channels for the disposal of stolen items.
While praising the ongoing efforts to sanitise these markets and intensify raids on suspected hideouts, Odumosu stressed that stronger legal frameworks are crucial to sustaining these efforts.
“Without stiffer penalties and proper regulation of these markets, we will only continue to arrest offenders without addressing the root cause of the problem.
“Stiffer penalties need to be introduced to keep them away for good or for a very long time,” he said.
The commandant called on policymakers and the judiciary to review existing laws and introduce more stringent measures to address the issue effectively.
He also urged the public to support these efforts by reporting suspicious activities and cooperating with law enforcement agencies.
Odumosu concluded by reiterating his commitment to reducing vandalism in the FCT, stating that with stricter laws and collaborative efforts, the menace could be curtailed significantly.
By Gift Habib @ThePUNCH
