FCT: NSCDC arrests suspected vandals of govt infrastructure

From Isaac Anumihe, Abuja

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, has arrested suspects in three separate cases involving alleged vandalism, possession, and trafficking of electrical cables in the Abaji, Kubwa, and Wuye areas of Abuja.

In a statement, the Commandant, FCT Command, Dr Olusola Odumosu, said in the first case, its anti-vandal patrol team, acting on credible intelligence and sustained surveillance, apprehended a suspect around Residential Quarters, Abaji Area Council.

He was identified as Mammud Nuhu, male, 44 years, from Batsari Local Government Area (LGA), Katsina State, in connection with vandalism, alleged unlawful possession and storage of high-tension aluminium conductor cables suspected to have been vandalised from critical electricity infrastructure in Abaji Area Council.

From preliminary investigation, the suspect allegedly disclosed that two other individuals simply identified as Saifullah, 32 years, and Abdulrahman, 25 years, brought the cables to him for safekeeping pending their sale to prospective buyers. He said both individuals are currently at large and efforts are ongoing to apprehend them and identify other persons connected with the alleged criminal activity.

“The principal suspect was profiled and his statement was obtained after the administration of the requisite cautionary words. He was subsequently granted administrative bail to enable him to produce a credible surety. Investigation is continuing. Exhibits recovered include bundles of high-tension aluminium conductor cables suspected to have been vandalised from AEDC installation in Abaji,” he said.

In a related development, Odumosu explained that operatives of the NSCDC, Kubwa base station, arrested two suspects, identified as Amos Makama, male, 27 years old, from Kokona LGA, Nasarawa State, and Ibrahim Mohammed Maitama Inuwa, 27 years, male, from Dala Local Government Area of Kano State, in connection with the alleged vandalism and unlawful possession of electrical cables around Government Secondary School, Kubwa, popularly known as Black and White Secondary School.

The incident, he said, occurred at approximately 1:00 am on Saturday, October 17, 2026, following reports of suspicious movements around the school’s perimeter fence by commercial motorcyclists and tricycle operators who regularly operate in the area.

Acting promptly on the information received, NSCDC operatives swung into action and apprehended one of the suspects, Amos, at the scene. According to him, a thorough search reportedly led to the recovery of approximately 38 rolls of electrical installation cables, pieces of power cables concealed in a large sack, a pair of pliers, a screwdriver and other items suspected to have been used in the alleged operation.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the prime suspect in the Kubwa copper wire vandalism at Black and White Government Secondary School, Amos Makama, confessed that he got access to the school in the evening through the gate and cut the wires in the school buildings, and that he operated in the premises till 12:00 noon when he climbed the fence with the exhibits in an attempt to escape with the intent of selling the items. He further revealed during interrogation that he had already contacted Ibrahim Mohammed, the alleged buyer, who made an advance payment of N35,000.

“The NSCDC personnel placed a call to the buyer disguising as marketers to buy their items. He arrived at the set location and he was also arrested by the NSCDC officers. Both of them have confessed to the crime and that they have been in the business since 2024,” the commandant said.

Also, the third case occurred on October 20, 2026. This is an alleged case of criminal conspiracy, vandalism and theft of armoured cable.

According to the arresting officer, a member of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure (CNAI) department of the command, while on routine patrol, he was alerted by members of a local vigilance group to the suspicious activities of some individuals at about 2230hrs. The information led to the arrest of one Suleiman Jafaru, near Berger Roundabout along the Wuye axis of Abuja, in connection with the alleged excavation and theft of armoured cable.

“Upon the arrest of the suspect at the scene of crime, the Intelligence and Investigation Department commenced a preliminary investigation into the case and the suspect was interrogated, profiled and his statement was obtained after the administration of the requisite cautionary words. The suspect was detained and subsequently granted administrative bail. Details of the suspect include: Suleiman Jafaru, sex: male, 20 years, LGA: Riyom, State: Plateau State. The exhibits recovered are armoured cables, one digger.”

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