FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike has threatened to deal with the individuals who damaged and stole transmission cables that threw the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) into darkness.

Speaking at a media parley on Sunday, January 19, a furious Wike said that the vandals involved in connection with the crime will be charged with economic sabotage.

He opined that the vandals will be punished severely for threatening the stability of the capital city.

According to him, the suspect won’t come out of the litigation till they are convicted of the crime.

Wike said, “They vandalised, stole the cables, for over 60% of Abuja to be dark. Sabotage! By the grace of God, the security agencies are on top of the matter. We’ve arrested some of them and I can tell you: all of those that are involved will never come out of it and people will learn lessons from it.

“We won’t charge you with stealing; we will charge you with economic sabotage. Enough is enough. Nobody will take this. Nobody who loves his country will accept what is going on.”

Wike urged FCT residents to be involved in the policing of the nation’s capital by reporting suspicious activities.

Last Friday, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) attributed the power outage in Abuja to the vandalism of its 132kV transmission line and underground cables.

Areas affected include Wuse, Utako, Jabi, Maitama, Lifecamp, Asokoro, Mabushi, and parts of the Presidential Villa, which houses President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.