Tthe contractor, who has been conducting business in Abuja, reportedly tampered with street lighting cables and poles in a bid to secure a new contract from the authorities.
The Abuja Metropolitan Management Company (AMMC) has arrested an expatriate contractor from a major firm for allegedly vandalising essential components of street lighting in the nation's capital.
This was made known by AMMC Coordinator, Felix Obuah, during inspection of damaged cables and accessories across various areas of Abuja.
Obuah disclosed that the contractor, who has been conducting business in Abuja, reportedly tampered with street lighting cables and poles in a bid to secure a new contract from the authorities.
Following the incident, the contractor has been formally handed over to the police for further investigation by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Administration.
However, the AMMC coordinator has refrained from disclosing the name and nationality of the suspect until the investigation is complete.
He explained that the organisation previously underestimated the situation, mistakenly believing that the theft of cable components in the metropolitan area was solely the work of miscreants and scavengers, rather than involving high-level contractors engaged in sabotage.
The vandalism of cable along Kubwa Expressway has plunged many areas, including Gwagwalada, Dawaki, and Kasauna, into darkness.
"Today, we apprehended a prominent contractor—an expatriate—who was involved in vandalising streetlights to secure contracts. As of now, one of the expatriates is in custody following his arrest for tampering with our poles. We have gathered substantial evidence," Obuah stated.
"Our report will be sent to the minister, and we are committed to identifying those responsible for the vandalism and the individuals purchasing the stolen materials. It is essential to fulfill the minister's vision of making Abuja one of the world's finest cities."
Obuah also mentioned that the AMMC maintenance team has restored lighting on key streets, including Musa Yar'Adua, Solomon Lar (Jabi), and Hassan Katsina.
He, however, assured that officials would continue to address issues across all 21 lots in the city, aiming to restore lighting to the vandalised major roads as quickly as possible.