By Stella Joshua
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, has arrested and paraded four suspects over alleged vandalism, theft and illegal possession of electrical cables in different parts of Abuja.
The suspects were arrested in separate operations in Abaji, Kubwa and the Wuye axis of the FCT, following intelligence-led operations by the Command's anti-vandal patrol team and other operational units.
The FCT Commandant, Olusola Odumosu, disclosed this while parading the suspects at the Command Headquarters in Wuse Zone 5, Abuja.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Command's Public Relations Officer, DSC Monica Ojobi, said the operations targeted individuals allegedly involved in the vandalism and trafficking of electrical infrastructure.
Ojobi identified the first suspect as Mammed Nuhu, 44, from Basari Local Government Area of Katsina State, who was arrested around the residential quarters in Abaji for allegedly possessing and storing high-tension aluminium conductor cables suspected to have been stolen from critical national assets.
Preliminary investigations reportedly revealed that two other individuals, identified as Saifullah, 33, and Abdulraham, 25, allegedly brought the cables to Nuhu for safekeeping pending their sale to prospective buyers.
The two alleged accomplices are currently at large, while the NSCDC said efforts were ongoing to apprehend them and identify other persons linked to the incident.
Bundles of high-tension aluminium conductor cables suspected to have been vandalised from installations belonging to the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) were recovered as exhibits.
In another operation, NSCDC operatives at the Kubwa Base Station arrested Amos Makama, 27, from Kokona Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, and Ibrahim Mohammed Maitama Inuwa, 27, from Dala Local Government Area of Kano State, over alleged cable vandalism and unlawful possession of electrical materials at Government Secondary School, Kubwa.
According to Ojobi, the suspects were apprehended at about 1 a.m. following reports from commercial motorcycle and tricycle operators about suspicious movements around the school's perimeter fence.
She said Makama allegedly confessed during interrogation that he entered the school through its gate in the evening and cut electrical wires in the building.
The suspect reportedly remained within the premises until midnight before attempting to escape with the materials by climbing the fence, but was intercepted by NSCDC operatives.
The statement further alleged that Makama had contacted Inuwa, who was identified as a prospective buyer and had reportedly paid an advance of ₦35,000 for the cables.
Both suspects allegedly confessed to the crime and disclosed that they had been involved in the business since 2024.
The third incident involved the alleged conspiracy, vandalism and theft of armoured cables around Berger Roundabout along the Wuye axis of Abuja.
Ojobi said personnel of the Command's Critical National Assets and Infrastructure Department were alerted by members of a local vigilante group to suspicious activities in the area at about 10:30 p.m. while on routine patrol.
One Suleiman Jafaru was subsequently arrested over the alleged excavation and theft of armoured cables.
The items recovered from him included armoured cables and two diggers.
Preliminary investigations reportedly indicated that three persons were involved in the operation, with Jafaru allegedly telling investigators that two other individuals working with him escaped during the operation.
The Command said efforts were ongoing to identify and apprehend the fleeing suspects.
Reacting to the incidents, Odumosu condemned the vandalism of electrical installations, describing it as an attack on the welfare, safety and economic well-being of residents of the FCT.
He noted that replacing stolen cables and repairing damaged installations imposed additional costs and diverted resources that could otherwise be used to improve electricity services.
“The alleged involvement of receivers and buyers in these cases also highlights a critical dimension of this crime,” he stated.
The commandant stressed that the NSCDC would pursue not only those who allegedly vandalise and remove electrical materials but also individuals who knowingly purchase stolen infrastructure and create a market that encourages further criminal activities.
He reaffirmed the Command's commitment to sustaining intelligence-led operations, strengthening collaboration with relevant stakeholders and ensuring that anyone found culpable was brought to justice in accordance with due process.
Odumosu also urged residents, community leaders, commercial motorcycle and tricycle operators, traders and scrap-metal dealers to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities around electricity installations to the appropriate authorities.