By Segun Abimbola
Vandals in Nigeria have been labeled as terrorists.
Nigerian government had said that anyone caught vandalizing government g public assets and facilities will be treated as such. .
It said such an offence will treated with serious sanctions, including a possible death sentence
The government stated this at a town hall meeting in Abuja which had as its theme “Protection of Public Infrastructure”.
Top Nigerian government functionaries including the minister for Information and Culture Mr Lai Mohammed were in the 19th meeting of the town hall meeting
Mr Mohammade was joined at the meeting by the ministers of Works and Housing Minister Babatunde Fashola, that of Transport Minister Chibuike Amaechi, Federal Capital Territory Mohammed Bello and Aviation Hadi Sirika.
The assets listed which could lead any vandal to death include destruction of a police stations and equipment; the burning of Independent National Electoral Commission offices and facilities; vandalizing rail tracks, bridges as well as aviation infrastructure.
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The information minister said firm actions will be taken against anyone involved in the alarming activity that tends to threaten national security.
He described the town meeting as urgent and important as it touches on an issue of economic growth and national development
Mr mohammade said when any public infrastructure is targeted for destruction. it calls for great concern and immediate action
The Nigeria’s mouth piece lamented that despite government efforts in providing new infrastructure the efforts are being thwarted by some unpatriotic citizens.
Railway tracks he said are being subjected to destruction as well as bridge railings being removed, manhole covers pilfered, street lights removed and other power infrastructure
He continued to mention oil pipelines, telecoms facilities, and critical aviation infrastructure damaged or stolen.
The minister said apart from the lives of fellow innocent citizens being endangered such acts take a toll on the government’s limited revenue,
To buttress his point mr Mohammade said the frequent attacks on police stations and INEC offices are not just vandalism, but a form of terrorism since police personnel die in the process
The minister said ‘criminality grows in a modular form” and as such needs to be dealt with on time.
It should be noted that over 400 manhole covers had been destroyed in the FCT, thereby creating room for erosion and flood.
The minister for works Mr Babatunde Fashola said twin sanctions will be enforced if anyone destroying public assets.
This he said will be payment for the repairs of the damaged facility and prosecution of the suspect.
Fashola mentioned N3billion to be the cost of repairs of some damaged and vandalised bridges in Nigeria
