Abuja Police Nab Eight Suspected Infrastructure Vandals, Recover Stolen Streetlight Poles

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested eight suspected infrastructure vandals accused of cutting down and stealing streetlight poles across major districts of Abuja.

The suspects were arrested by police operatives attached to the Central Police Station during a routine anti-crime patrol in the city centre.

The Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, announced the arrests in a statement on Monday, November 9, 2026.

She identified the suspects as Sani Musa, Ashiru Adamu, Markus Joseph, Suleman Ibrahim, Jamilu Umar, Usman Aliyu, Uzairu Sani and Shafiu Bala.

Adeh said preliminary investigations suggested that the suspects were members of a criminal gang allegedly involved in the systematic vandalism and theft of public and private infrastructure within the Federal Capital Territory.

According to the police, the gang’s alleged activities extended across the Central Business District, Maitama, Wuse, Garki and Asokoro.

Five long streetlight poles, suspected to have been stolen after being cut at their bases, were recovered from the suspects during the operation.

The police described the recovery as part of ongoing efforts to tackle the destruction and theft of public infrastructure in the nation’s capital.

The eight suspects and recovered exhibits remain in police custody and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.

The Command urged residents to support security agencies by remaining vigilant and promptly reporting suspicious movements and criminal activities.

It provided the following emergency contact numbers for public assistance: 08032003913 and 08061581938.

The latest arrests highlight the persistent challenge of protecting public infrastructure in Abuja, where the theft and destruction of streetlights not only result in financial losses but also threaten urban security and public safety, particularly at night.