CROSS RIVER, CALABAR – The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has arrested multiple suspects and recovered vandalized public assets in Cross River State, intensifying enforcement against attacks on critical national infrastructure during the 2025 yuletide season.
The Cross River State Command of the NSCDC disclosed this during a press briefing in Calabar, assuring residents of strengthened security deployments to protect public utilities, government installations, and telecommunications facilities statewide.
Addressing journalists, State Commandant Okarazu C. E. said the briefing reaffirmed directives from the Commandant General, Professor Ahmed Abubakar Audi, to safeguard lives, property, and critical assets during heightened holiday movement.
He noted that Calabar’s status as a convergence point for Nigerians and diaspora visitors required zero tolerance for criminal disruptions, stressing that the corps would not allow vandals undermine public safety or economic activities.
“As a direct result of renewed deployment and proactive strategies, the Command has begun recording significant successes in disrupting attempts to vandalize government property and public utilities,” Okarazu stated.
The NSCDC confirmed the arrest of a suspect on December 6, 2025, with the recovery of eleven streetlight poles and four solar panels installed by the Niger Delta Development Commission in Calabar.
Further operations on December 12 led to the recovery of an additional solar-powered streetlight from Kingsley Ekpo Edem, who remains in custody, as investigations into asset theft and distribution networks continue.
In another operation, tactical teams apprehended Kelly Emmanuel at 2:15 a.m. on December 15 while vandalizing an ATC transmitter station in Akpabuyo, limiting damage to the telecommunications facility.
Okorazu said vandals targeting telecom infrastructure cause cascading harm, disrupting communication, banking services, and commercial transactions that depend on stable networks, describing such acts as economically destructive and socially irresponsible.
Truthlivenews correspondent in CALABAR reported that Midway through the briefing, the Commandant attributed operational successes partly to support from the Cross River State Government, noting public utilities provided by Governor Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, across Calabar and other cities.
“These assets belong to host communities, not individuals,” he said, urging residents to sustain cooperation with NSCDC and continue volunteering credible intelligence on vandals and end users within their neighbourhoods.
He announced intensified countermeasures, including undercover deployments and tactical patrols across vulnerable locations, warning that the corps would pursue both perpetrators and beneficiaries of stolen public infrastructure.
Issuing a direct warning, Okorazu said scrap dealers, businesses, and individuals who knowingly purchase vandalized materials would be treated as accomplices and prosecuted under applicable laws.
“Our intelligence network is focused not just on the vandals but also on the final destination and end users of stolen assets,” he warned, declaring, “If you patronize vandals, you are an accomplice.”
The Commandant said investigations into all arrests would be concluded swiftly, assuring the public that suspects would face the full weight of the law to deter future attacks on government installations.
He further announced a statewide strategy session involving area commanders and divisional officers, promising that enforcement actions would reach every community across Cross River State.
Okorazu expressed appreciation to Governor Otu for sustained institutional support and commended community leaders and youth groups whose information-sharing disrupted vandalism attempts targeting solar streetlights and other utilities.
He concluded by reminding residents that security of lives and property remains a shared responsibility, urging collective vigilance to protect public investments meant to improve welfare and economic resilience.