Abuja vandals will not go free, Wike insists

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has vowed that those involved in the vandalism of public infrastructure in Abuja will not escape punishment, emphasising the government’s commitment to addressing the growing issue of sabotage.

In a media chat on Channel Television on Sunday, Wike highlighted the widespread damage caused by vandals, particularly in the form of stolen cables and tampered solar-powered street lights, which he described as “cruel” and detrimental to the city’s development.

“Look at this thing,” Wike said, referring to the recent theft of manhole covers and cables.

“It’s too cruel. Stealing cables for over 60 per cent of our land. Making everywhere to be dark. This is sabotage,” he said.

He went on to accuse some members of the public of turning a blind eye to these criminal activities, saying, “Some of us will say, oh, you see somebody stealing cables. You see somebody tampering with solar. But you won’t say anything. You won’t report to the police. You say, ‘Oh, it’s not my business.’ But when it is dark, you come and say, ‘Oh, government is doing nothing.”

Wike was particularly vocal in his assertion that the security agencies would be relentless in pursuing vandals.

He warned that those apprehended for vandalism “they will never come out free. We are going to deal with those who have the guts.”

He added that such acts of vandalism would be treated as economic sabotage, stressing the seriousness of the crime.

“We will not charge you with stealing, we will charge you with economic sabotage,” he declared.

“Enough is enough. Nobody who believes, who loves this country, will accept what’s going on,” he added.

The FCT Minister further criticized individuals who, he claimed, sought to undermine the government’s efforts to improve infrastructure in the territory.

“Government spends money to make you comfortable, to provide the necessary infrastructure. And some people will go back and say, ‘Look, why do we allow this government to have a good name? Let us sabotage them,” he said.

Wike reaffirmed the importance of community involvement in preventing such crimes, emphasizing that “policing of communities is not only for security agencies.

He encouraged the public to report any suspicious activities to the authorities, underlining the role citizens play in securing the city.

While acknowledging the economic challenges some may face, Wike made it clear that such issues did not justify sabotaging the government’s initiatives, urging the public to prioritize the common good over individual interests.