Vandal re-arrested 18 days after detention for same offence

LAGOS—Barely 18 days after gaining freedom from detention at the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Yaba, Lagos, Godwin Nwankwo, 23, was yesterday re-arrested by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, RRS, of Lagos State Police Command, for vandalising bridge railings and crash barriers on Ijora Bridge. Nwankwo, as gathered, was apprehended while bringing out some cut-to-size railings and crash barriers from manholes meant to reinforce Ijora Bridge. During interrogation, he blamed his action on hunger, claiming there were no alternative means to get money. According to the Enugu State-born suspect, “when I was arrested the first time over same offence, I pleaded for leniency and mercy. Now that I have been caught again, I do not know what to say. But I know that the devil pushed me into this act. “My plan was to raise some money to enable me relocate to Enugu, where I was repairing handsets before coming to Lagos. I want to leave Lagos because my life has been meaningless here. “Unfortunately, I have been arrested again and only God knows if this will not lead me to jail.” He claimed the railings were sold to one Alhaji Talimu Sanni and another man. His revelation as gathered, led to the arrest of Sanni. During interrogation the 54-year-old receiver admitted to the claim, but stated that he was oblivious of the fact that they were stolen. Spokesperson for Lagos State Police Command, Superintendent Dolapo Badmus, confirmed the arrest, saying anyone involved in the act would be brought to book. She said: “We are intensifying our efforts to arrest anybody vandalising government’s infrastructure across the state. This stride has begun to yield positive results as some of them have been arrested and they are facing prosecution.”