- According to Obuah, the contractor, who had been conducting business in the city, tampered with street lighting cables and poles in an attempt to secure a new contract from the authorities
The Abuja Metropolitan Management Company (AMMC) has arrested an expatriate contractor for allegedly vandalising key components of street lighting in the nation’s capital.
The AMMC Coordinator, Felix Obuah, revealed this during an inspection of damaged cables and accessories in various areas of Abuja. According to Obuah, the contractor, who had been conducting business in the city, tampered with street lighting cables and poles in an attempt to secure a new contract from the authorities.
The suspect has since been handed over to the police for further investigation by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Administration. However, Obuah refrained from disclosing the contractor’s name and nationality until the investigation is complete.
“Today, we apprehended a prominent contractor—an expatriate—who was involved in vandalising streetlights to secure contracts. We have substantial evidence, and the suspect is now in custody for tampering with our poles,” Obuah stated.
He explained that the AMMC initially believed the theft of cable components was the work of miscreants and scavengers. However, recent events indicate that high-level contractors may also be involved in acts of sabotage.
The vandalism, particularly along the Kubwa Expressway, has left areas such as Gwagwalada, Dawaki, and Kasauna without street lighting, plunging them into darkness.
In response, Obuah assured the public that the AMMC has restored lighting on several key streets, including Musa Yar’Adua, Solomon Lar (Jabi), and Hassan Katsina, and will continue addressing similar issues across the city.
“Our goal is to restore lighting to the vandalised major roads as quickly as possible and ensure the fulfilment of the minister’s vision of making Abuja one of the finest cities in the world,” he added.