CALABAR—A 27-year-old scrap collector, Usman Umaru, has been apprehended by the Cross River Command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, for having cash and electrical components valued at over N2 million.

Charles Brown, the state Commandant of NSCDC, explained that Umaru was caught vandalizing an unoccupied new building in Calabar during the night.

Although his partner, named Yusuf, managed to escape, Umaru was apprehended.

The NSCDC commandant revealed that Umaru and his accomplices were involved in numerous cases of vandalizing houses and street lights in Calabar and its surroundings.

He said: “Acting on intelligence, the NSCDC raided the one-story building and captured Umaru with N250,000 in cash and various electrical wires, switches, and lamp holders.

“Umaru was found in possession of drugs and charms at the time of his arrest. He has confessed to his crimes and will be promptly arraigned in court,” he said.

Brown stressed the need for urgent action against scrap collectors, as many of them exploit the business as a means to commit crimes.

He stated that they scout for potential theft targets during the day and carry out their activities at night. Brown called for stricter regulation of their operations to protect the genuine collectors from tarnishing the reputation of the industry.

Furthermore, the NSCDC Commandant declared the command’s determination to combat vandalism, cable theft, and illegal diversion of crude oil throughout the state.