By CHUKWUEMEKA OPARA

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Ebonyi, has paraded three minors for allegedly attempting to rape and assault a fellow minor.

The State Commandant of the Corps, Dr Elijah Willie, said during the parade on Friday in Abakaliki, that the command was on the heels of a fourth suspect currently on the run.

Willie disclosed that the incident occurred at Ishielu Local Government Area of the state.

“The suspects paraded include Emmanuel Ali, 15, Joseph Ali, 15 and Oforbuike Nnaji, 13. They will be transferred to relevant juvenile authorities for necessary rehabilitation.

“There have been increased cases of minors engaged in such acts and this reflects the moral decadence in the society.

“I urge relevant stakeholders to take drastic action to check the trend for the sake of our youths,” he said.

The state commandant also paraded two suspects for allegedly vandalising electricity cables at the Ebonyi international shopping mall.

“The suspects are Mathias Oko, 21, and Lawrence Chukwu, 22, both from Amasiri in Afikpo North Local Government Area of the state.

“Cases of vandalism are rampant in Ebonyi and we urge relevant stakeholders to sensitise the people, especially youths, to stop engaging in such acts.

“The NSCDC is seriously warning vandals to repent or face the full wrath of the command,” he said.

He noted that the suspects would be prosecuted after investigations by the command.

Mathias Oko, one the suspected vandals, confessed to committing the crime but attributed it to “temptation from the devil”. (NAN)