NSCDC Busts 13 Suspects, Recovers ₦350m Stolen Cables, AK-47

*Former AEDC worker, cable dealers, car theft syndicate members, human traffickers arrested

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested and paraded 13 suspects linked to cable vandalism, armed robbery, car theft and human trafficking across seven states, recovering stolen electrical infrastructure valued at over ₦350 million.

The arrests, carried out by the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad (CG’s SIS), followed intelligence-driven operations in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nasarawa, Plateau, Kogi, Benue, Niger and Kaduna states.

National Public Relations Officer of the Corps, Assistant Commandant Babawale Afolabi, disclosed this on Monday during a press parade at the NSCDC National Headquarters, Abuja, and at a crime scene in Yangoji, Kwali Area Council, FCT.

Afolabi said the most significant breakthrough involved the arrest of 25-year-old Isaac Zegbe, a former employee of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), who allegedly vandalised more than 15 kilometres of aluminium conductors along the Yangoji-Abaji axis.

According to him, the stolen cables, valued at over ₦350 million, were distributed to marketers across several markets in the FCT.

Following a targeted sting operation, operatives recovered a substantial quantity of the vandalised cables at Gudu Market and arrested suspected receivers, including Chijoke Christian, who allegedly confessed to knowingly purchasing the stolen materials.

The Corps, Afolabi added, had obtained a court order to seal the shops of merchants linked to the purchase of the stolen aluminium cables.

In another major operation, the CG’s SIS dismantled a four-man syndicate allegedly specialising in the theft of Toyota vehicles across the FCT and neighbouring states.

The suspects were identified as Adamu Yusuf, Hassan Bukar, Adamu Musa, also known as “Yellow”, and Abdulsalam Isa, alias “Kada”.

The Corps also arrested four suspected members of an armed robbery gang—Nuhu Ndam, Ponbin Lamkur, Yilcwat Sohdan and Ganpyal Dul.

Recovered from the gang were an AK-47 rifle with serial number 3152097, 16 rounds of 7.62x39mm live ammunition and ₦70,000 cash.

In a separate human trafficking investigation, the CG’s SIS recovered Micaiah Nana, the last of 16 children allegedly trafficked by Archibong Anderson on January 15, 2026.

Afolabi said the individuals who allegedly purchased the child had been detained and were assisting investigators.

Other suspects arrested during the operations included Bilyaminu Musa and Abba Yusuf, who were linked to power cable vandalism in the Abuja city centre.

The Corps also arrested Theophilus Oche Oboii for allegedly stealing 15 tractor batteries from the National Agricultural Seeds Council in Kwali and selling them for ₦20,000 each.

Items recovered during the operations included a stolen Toyota Camry with registration number YAB 163 EE, cut armoured electrical cables, 15 tractor batteries, master keys, cutting tools, knives and a stolen travel bag containing clothing.

Afolabi assured the public that the Corps would continue to deny criminal elements safe havens, adding that all suspects would be charged to court after investigations were concluded and a prima facie case established.

The latest arrests underscore the growing threat posed by organised criminal networks to Nigeria’s electricity infrastructure, public assets and vulnerable populations, while highlighting the need for stronger action against both vandals and the markets that receive stolen materials.