The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), FCT command, has appealed to the Federal Government to enforce stiffer penalties for those who vandalize Critical National Assets and Infrastructure (CNAI).
The FCT Commandant, Olusola Odumosu, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja. Odumosu said that the punishments currently given to convicted vandals are too minimal, which is why many of them are re-arrested for committing the same crime.
He said there is a need for stiffer penalties for these offenders. According to him, some are only fined as low as N2,000 to N5,000, while others are given community service.
“We arrest vandals, but we keep seeing them back on the road, which is a cause for concern for us and it’s so because the punishments are not measures that can deter anybody,” he said.
The commandant appealed to the appropriate authorities to look into how the prosecution of suspects will instill fear into those with the intentions to vandalise public property.
“We usually do our part, then the judiciary will do their part, but we don’t have control over hearing dates, adjoinments, convictions and eventual prosecution of cases.
“The box stops at our table when we take them to court but whatever happens after we take them to court, is not within our power,” he said.
The command head further explained that the corps has no power over the prompt prosecution of suspects in court but through its legal team, tries its best to transfer cases to court as at when due.
“We don’t usually waste time in tackling matters that we feel require prosecution as we are guided by the extant laws which stipulates that, you cannot keep a suspect beyond a certain number of hours, which is like 48 hours.
“So, whenever we have in custody suspects for whatever crime, we ensure that we always move swiftly into action by carrying out immediate and appropriate investigation before carrying the matter to court.
“There are times when cases are adjourned and other times we find it difficult to even get a date for hearing, so all this we don’t have control over.
Odumosu said that the implementation of strict and timely punishment for vandals will further encourage personnel to work diligently in capturing criminals.
“Stiffer penalties will further encourage my officers and men that are losing their sleep; patrolling and surveying every nooks and crannies to make arrests, knowing that their efforts are not being abated,” Odumosu said
