By Ado Oyeyemi
The Ondo State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has arrested a 25-year-old man, Obasi Ifesinachi, for allegedly vandalising a telecommunications facility in Iju Community, Akure North Local Government Area of the state.
The command said the arrest formed part of its ongoing efforts to protect critical national assets and infrastructure from criminal activities.
According to a statement issued by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Daniel Aidamenbor, the suspect, who resides at No. 32, Moferere Street, Iju, was apprehended following a complaint lodged by the community’s youth leader on June 24 over the activities of suspected vandals targeting an MRM telecommunications mast.
The statement explained that intelligence officers, working with members of the community, mounted covert surveillance around the facility, leading to the arrest of Ifesinachi on June 25, while other suspects escaped.
Preliminary findings indicated that the suspect and his accomplices allegedly forced their way into the fenced premises of the telecommunications site with the intention of dismantling and stealing valuable equipment.
A technical assessment of the facility reportedly revealed that the mast had been deliberately loosened at its foundation bolts, while several vital components had already been removed.
The NSCDC said the suspect confessed during interrogation to participating in the vandalism and admitted that he had previously visited the site on several occasions to carry out similar operations without being caught.
The investigation further revealed that the suspect had allegedly been banished from Iju Community in May 2026 over his reported involvement in the robbery of a residential building located opposite the telecommunications installation.
The command added that after investigators confronted him with intelligence reports and physical evidence, the suspect made a written confessional statement admitting to the current offence as well as other alleged criminal activities.
The State Commandant, Oluyemi Ibiloye, commended residents of Iju Community for their support, stressing that collaboration between security agencies and local communities remained essential in safeguarding public infrastructure.
He warned that organised criminal groups were intensifying attacks on critical national assets across the state and assured residents that the corps would continue to identify, arrest and prosecute those responsible.
The command said the suspect would be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations.
