Nigeria’s Critical Infrastructure Under Threat: Call for Stricter Penalties
The Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Federal Capital Territory Command, Dr. Olusola Odumosu, has expressed concern over the increasing rate of vandalism targeting critical national assets and infrastructure.
He attributed this trend to lenient court sentences that fail to deter criminal activity.
According to Odumosu, vandals arrested and prosecuted often receive minimal penalties, such as fines ranging from ₦2,000 to ₦5,000 or community service.
He noted that this has led to repeat offenses, with some individuals arrested multiple times for vandalizing government infrastructure.
The Commandant is calling for stiffer penalties to be imposed on those found guilty of vandalism.
He believes that stricter measures would serve as a deterrent to would-be vandals and motivate security personnel to do their job more effectively.
While the NSCDC’s legal team acts swiftly to prosecute suspects, Odumosu highlighted systemic delays in the judicial process that often undermine their efforts. He emphasized the need for the judiciary to play its part in ensuring that justice is served promptly.
By implementing stricter penalties for vandalism, Odumosu believes that the menace can be curbed, and security personnel can be motivated to continue their efforts in protecting critical infrastructure.
