Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Niger State Police Command has exposed a brazen insider theft syndicate after a private security guard guarding the Federal Housing Estate in Tungan-Shanu allegedly colluded with others to steal two 1000KVA transformers belonging to the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, selling them for a paltry N1.5 million. The police command's Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the arrests and provided a detailed account of the operation in a statement to journalists on Friday, August 21, 2026. According to Abiodun, the theft was discovered on August 16, 2026, at about 1:30 p.m., when a distress call was received by the Maje Police Division from the Federal Housing Estate, Tungan-Shanu, reporting that two units of 1000KVA transformers kept in the powerhouse of the estate had been stolen.
The transformers were under the custody of a security man, 33-year-old Saddam Mohammed, who has now been identified as the prime suspect in the theft. Following the report, police patrol teams attached to the division immediately moved to the scene and commenced stop-and-search operations along the Abuja-Kaduna expressway and Maje-Dikko road. The operation led to the interception of a Hijet vehicle driven by 28-year-old Bilyaminu Jibrin, who was found in possession of the stolen transformers. During interrogation, Jibrin revealed that he had been hired by one 53-year-old Yahaya Nepa to deliver the stolen items to a location in Jabi, Federal Capital Territory. Further investigations led to the arrest of Nepa, who confessed to having purchased the transformers from the estate's security man, Saddam Mohammed, at the rate of N750,000 each, totalling N1.5 million for the two transformers – a fraction of their actual worth.
The police also arrested another suspect, Samuel Adedeji, also a security man attached to the estate, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend Saddam Mohammed and one Malam Rabiu, who is attached to AEDC Abaji in the FCT. The police command confirmed that the suspects and the recovered exhibits are in police custody, and investigation continues after which the suspects will be charged to court and prosecuted accordingly. The arrest of an AEDC staff member, Malam Rabiu, who is still at large, raises troubling questions about the extent of the syndicate and whether this was an isolated incident or part of a larger, organised network of insider theft plaguing the power distribution company.
This incident represents a damning indictment of the security arrangements at critical infrastructure sites across Nigeria. The fact that a private security guard entrusted with protecting an estate's powerhouse could allegedly orchestrate the theft of two massive transformers, with the apparent complicity of an AEDC staff member, points to a systemic failure in the oversight and vetting of security personnel. The transformers, each valued at millions of naira, were sold for a mere N750,000 each, suggesting a desperate or greedy act that has far-reaching consequences for residents who depend on stable electricity supply. The theft of such critical infrastructure not only disrupts power supply to communities but also imposes significant financial burdens on the government and the electricity distribution company, costs that are ultimately passed on to consumers already groaning under the weight of economic hardship.
The police command's swift action in intercepting the stolen transformers and arresting four suspects is commendable, but the fact that the principal suspect, Saddam Mohammed, and the AEDC staff member, Malam Rabiu, remain at large undermines the success of the operation. The police must intensify their manhunt for these fleeing suspects and ensure that they are brought to justice. The arrest of Samuel Adedeji, another security man, suggests that the conspiracy may have involved multiple individuals within the estate's security apparatus, raising concerns about the integrity of the entire security team. The estate management and AEDC must conduct a thorough review of their security protocols to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.
The role of Yahaya Nepa, who purchased the stolen transformers, highlights the existence of a ready market for stolen electrical infrastructure, a problem that has plagued the power sector for years. The police must investigate the buyers and receivers of stolen goods to dismantle the entire supply chain. The fact that Nepa allegedly admitted to purchasing the transformers from the security guard raises questions about whether he was aware of their stolen status and whether he has a history of dealing in stolen electrical equipment. The police should not stop at arresting the middlemen but must trace the ultimate destination of the transformers and recover them for use by the community.
This case should serve as a wake-up call to the Niger State Government, AEDC, and other stakeholders about the urgent need to strengthen security around critical infrastructure. The theft of transformers and other electrical equipment has become a lucrative business for criminal syndicates, and the involvement of insiders, including security guards and company staff, underscores the need for more robust vetting, monitoring, and accountability mechanisms. The police command's promise to charge the suspects to court is a positive step, but it must be followed by swift and decisive prosecution to deter others who may be tempted to engage in similar crimes. For the residents of the Federal Housing Estate, Tungan-Shanu, and other communities affected by transformer theft, the arrest of these suspects offers a glimmer of hope that the authorities are finally taking the issue seriously. However, until the fleeing suspects are apprehended and the entire syndicate is dismantled, the battle against infrastructure vandalism is far from won.
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