The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested and paraded 13 suspects allegedly involved in cable vandalism, armed robbery, car theft and human trafficking in ongoing operations to protect Critical National Assets and Infrastructure (CNAI) and combat crime.
The National Public Relations Officer of the Corps, Assistant Commandant Babawale Afolabi, disclosed this during a press briefing and parade at the NSCDC National Headquarters in Abuja and at a crime scene in Yangoji, Kwali Area Council.
He explained that the arrests were carried out by the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad (CG’s SIS) in operations spanning the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nasarawa, Plateau, Kogi, Benue, Niger and Kaduna States.
READ ALSO: NSCDC Vows to Disrupt Illegal Mining, Banditry
According to Afolabi, one of the major breakthroughs was 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 route.
The vandalised cables were valued at more than ₦350 million.
Afolabi disclosed that Zegbe and his alleged accomplices distributed the stolen cables to marketers across several markets in the FCT.
“Following a targeted sting operation, NSCDC operatives recovered a significant volume of vandalised electrical cables at Gudu Market and arrested suspected receivers, including Chijoke Christian, who confessed to knowingly purchasing the stolen cables,” Afolabi said.
He further disclosed that the Corps had obtained a court order to seal the shops of merchants linked to the purchase of the stolen aluminium cables.
Afolabi said intelligence-driven operations had also led to the dismantling of 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, also known as “Kada”.
He disclosed that an armed robbery gang comprising Nuhu Ndam, Ponbin Lamkur, Yilcwat Sohdan and Ganpyal Dul had also been apprehended.
Operatives recovered an AK-47 rifle, with serial number 3152097, 16 rounds of 7.62x39mm live ammunition and ₦70,000 in cash from the suspects.
In another operation involving human trafficking, Afolabi revealed that the CG’s SIS had recovered Micaiah Nana, the last of 16 children allegedly trafficked by Archibong Anderson on 15 January 2026.
He said the individuals who allegedly purchased the child had been detained and were assisting investigators.
Other suspects arrested in separate operations included Bilyaminu Musa and Abba Yusuf, who were apprehended over alleged 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 multi-state 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.
He disclosed that all suspects would be formally charged in court after investigations had been concluded and a prima facie case established.
