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In a swift operation, two suspected vandals were apprehended at the Benue Burnt Bricks facility in Otukpo by gallant troops of the Nigerian Army on Friday night, October 3, 2025. The arrests mark a significant step in the ongoing efforts to protect critical public assets from economic sabotage.
The suspects, identified as Wilson Egbanga (16) and Okoh Akoja (40), both residents of Otukpo Local Government Area (LGA), were caught in the act with equipment and tools suspected to be used for cutting metal. Items recovered at the scene included several cut sheets of heavy metal, a massive mallet, spanners, two large gas cylinders, and a smaller gas cylinder attached with hoses, highlighting the scale of the intended theft.
Following their arrest, the suspects were immediately transferred to the Department of State Services (DSS) in Otukpo for in-depth investigation. They were subsequently detained at the facility of the Benue State Civil Protection Guards (BSCPG). During preliminary interrogation, the suspects pointed to a fleeing ringleader, alleging they were lured into the criminal act by an individual known as Mr. Omagbo, who reportedly drove a white Hi-Jet vehicle around communities bordering the Benue Burnt Bricks site. The ringleader, however, remains at large.
Mr. Bashiru, the DSS Second-in-Command in Otukpo, commented on the extent of the attempted vandalism, noting that the recovered items represent only a fraction of what had been vandalized. He added that many of the stolen metal components were too heavy to be carted away before the suspects were apprehended.
Comrade Otene, Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Chairman of Otukpo LGA, emphasized the broader implications of the incident in a press statement released on Sunday. He described vandalism as one of the gravest threats to Nigeria’s infrastructure and industrialization drive, crippling public assets and frustrating development efforts. He commended the security operatives for their prompt action, stating that it not only prevented further damage but also sent a strong signal that Otukpo will no longer be a safe haven for vandals and economic saboteurs.
The timely intervention has been hailed as a crucial move to safeguard the facility, with authorities vowing to continue their efforts to protect public infrastructure from similar threats. Investigations are ongoing as the search for the elusive ringleader continues.
