Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has paraded 13 suspects arrested for their alleged involvement in a sprawling criminal network that stretched across the Federal Capital Territory and six other states, recovering stolen vehicles, a military-grade rifle, and electrical infrastructure worth more than N350 million. The suspects were presented at the Corps' National Headquarters in Abuja on Monday, September 14, 2026, following a series of intelligence-led operations carried out by the Commandant General's Special Intelligence Squad across the FCT, Nasarawa, Plateau, Kogi, Benue, Niger, and Kaduna states.
The most significant breakthrough involved the arrest of 25-year-old Isaac Zegbe, a former employee of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, who allegedly masterminded the vandalism of more than 15 kilometres of aluminium conductors along the Yangoji-Abaji axis. The stolen cables, valued at over N350 million, were reportedly distributed to marketers across several markets in the FCT. Following a targeted sting operation at Gudu Market, operatives recovered a substantial quantity of the vandalised cables and arrested suspected receivers, including Chijoke Christian, who allegedly confessed to knowingly purchasing the stolen materials. The Corps has obtained a court order to seal the shops of merchants linked to the purchase of the stolen cables.
In a separate operation, the NSCDC dismantled a four-man car theft 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". One of the suspects, Adam Yusuf, was apprehended under the Mpape Flyover while allegedly attempting to deliver a stolen Toyota Camry with registration number YAB 163 EE. The recovery of the vehicle, along with master keys, cutting tools, and knives, provided further evidence of the syndicate's operations.
The Corps also arrested four suspected members of an armed robbery gang: Nuhu Ndam, Ponbin Lamkur, Yilcwat Sohdan, and Ganpyal Dul. Recovered from the group were an AK-47 rifle with serial number 3152097, 16 rounds of 7.62x39mm live ammunition, and N70,000 in cash. The seizure of a military-grade weapon from a criminal gang in the heart of Abuja underscores the growing threat posed by organised crime networks to public safety in the nation's capital.
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. The child was rescued in Kwali Area Council of the FCT, while the individuals who allegedly purchased the child have been detained and are assisting investigators with the ongoing investigation. The rescue of the trafficked minor brings to a close a months-long search that had left the child's family and the authorities desperate for answers.
Other suspects arrested during the operations included Bilyaminu Musa and Abba Yusuf, who were linked to power cable vandalism in the Abuja city centre, and Theophilus Oche Oboii, who allegedly stole 15 tractor batteries from the National Agricultural Seeds Council in Kwali and sold them for N20,000 each. Items recovered during the operations included cut armoured electrical cables, 15 tractor batteries, and a stolen travel bag containing clothing.
The National Public Relations Officer of the Corps, Assistant Commandant Babawale Afolabi, said the operations were part of the NSCDC's ongoing efforts to safeguard Critical National Assets and Infrastructure and eradicate crime across the country. He assured the public that the Corps would continue to deny criminal elements safe havens, adding that all suspects would be formally charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations and the establishment of a prima facie case. The 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 the vandals and the markets that receive stolen materials. As the suspects await trial, the operation sends a clear message that the long arm of the law can reach even the most entrenched criminal networks, no matter how far they spread.
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