By Palma Ileye
Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested 13 suspects in connection with cable vandalism, car theft, armed robbery and human trafficking across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and six other States.
The suspects were arrested by the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad (CG’s SIS) during intelligence-driven operations in the FCT, Nasarawa, Plateau, Kogi, Benue, Niger and Kaduna States.
The NSCDC National Public Relations Officer, Assistant Commandant Babawale Afolabi, disclosed this yesterday during a press parade at the Corps’ National Headquarters in Abuja and at a crime scene in Yangoji, Kwali Area Council.
Afolabi said one of the major breakthroughs was the arrest of 25-year-old Isaac Zegbe, a former employee of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), over the alleged vandalism of more than 15 kilometres of aluminium conductors along the Yangoji-Abaji axis.
According to him, the vandalised cables were valued at over N350 million and allegedly distributed to marketers across various markets in the FCT.
He added that operatives recovered a large quantity of the cables at Gudu Market and arrested suspected receivers, including Chijoke Christian, who allegedly confessed to knowingly purchasing stolen cables.
He said the Corps had obtained a court order to seal the shops of merchants linked to the purchase of the stolen aluminium conductors.
The NSCDC spokesperson also announced the dismantling of 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, alias “Yellow”, and Abdulsalam Isa, alias “Kada”.
In a separate operation, operatives arrested four suspected armed robbers identified as Nuhu Ndam, Ponbin Lamkur, Yilcwat Sohdan and Ganpyal Dul. One AK-47 rifle, 16 rounds of 7.62x39mm ammunition and N70,000 cash were recovered from the suspects.
Afolabi further disclosed that the CG’s SIS had recovered Micaiah Nana, the last of 16 children allegedly trafficked by Archibong Anderson on January 15, 2026 saying that those who allegedly purchased the child had been detained and were assisting with the investigation.
Other suspects arrested include Bilyaminu Musa and Abba Yusuf, who were apprehended over alleged power cable vandalism in Abuja city centre, while Theophilus Oche Oboii was arrested for allegedly stealing 15 tractor batteries from the National Agricultural Seeds Council in Kwali and selling them for N20,000 each.
Items recovered during the operations include 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.
He assured that the Corps would not provide a safe haven for criminal elements, adding that all the suspects would be charged to court after investigations are concluded and a prima facie case established against them.
