By Nkechi Eze
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested a former employee of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) and 12 others over alleged cable vandalism, car theft, armed robbery and human trafficking across the Federal Capital Territory and six states.
According to an official statement signed by the National Public Relations Officer of the NSCDC, Assistant Commandant Babawale Afolabi, the arrests were made 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.
Afolabi disclosed this during a press parade at the Corps’ National Headquarters in Abuja and at a crime scene in Yangoji, Kwali Area Council, FCT.
The former AEDC employee, identified as 25-year-old Isaac Zegbe, was allegedly involved in the vandalism of more than 15 kilometres of aluminium conductors along the Yangoji-Abaji route.
The cables, valued at over ₦350 million, were allegedly stolen and distributed to marketers across several markets in the FCT.
Following a sting operation, NSCDC operatives recovered a significant 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 said it had obtained a court order to seal the shops of merchants linked to the purchase of the stolen cables.
In a separate operation, operatives 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, also known as “Kada”.
NSCDC operatives also arrested four suspected members of an armed robbery gang identified as Nuhu Ndam, Ponbin Lamkur, Yilcwat Sohdan and Ganpyal Dul.
One AK-47 rifle, 16 rounds of 7.62x39mm live ammunition and ₦70,000 cash were recovered from the suspects.
The Corps further disclosed that the CG’s SIS recovered Micaiah Nana, the last of 16 children allegedly trafficked by Archibong Anderson on January 15, 2026.
The individuals who allegedly purchased the child have been detained and are assisting investigators.
Other suspects arrested include Bilyaminu Musa and Abba Yusuf over alleged power cable vandalism in Abuja city centre, while Theophilus Oche Oboii was arrested over the alleged theft of 15 tractor batteries from the National Agricultural Seeds Council in Kwali.
The batteries were allegedly sold for ₦20,000 each.
Items recovered during the operations included a stolen Toyota Camry, cut armoured electrical cables, 15 tractor batteries, master keys, cutting tools, knives and a stolen travel bag containing clothing.
Afolabi assured that the Corps would continue to deny criminal elements safe havens, adding that all suspects would be charged to court after the conclusion of investigations and establishment of a prima facie case.
