The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has arrested a former employee of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, Isaac Zegbe, and several other suspects over the alleged vandalism and theft of electricity cables valued at more than N350 million.
Zegbe, 25, was arrested alongside alleged accomplices by operatives of the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad during intelligence-led operations across the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa, Plateau, Kogi, Benue, Niger and Kaduna states.
The NSCDC’s National Public Relations Officer, Assistant Commandant Babawale Afolabi, disclosed the arrests on Monday during a press briefing at the Corps’ national headquarters in Abuja and at the site of the alleged cable vandalism in Yangoji, Kwali Area Council.
Afolabi said the suspects allegedly vandalised more than 15 kilometres of aluminium conductors along the Yangoji-Abaji route. The stolen cables were subsequently distributed to marketers in several markets across the FCT.
Following a sting operation at Gudu Market, Abuja, NSCDC operatives recovered a substantial quantity of the vandalised cables and arrested suspected receivers. One of them, identified as Chijoke Christian, was accused of knowingly purchasing the stolen cables. The Corps said it had obtained a court order to seal shops belonging to merchants linked to the purchase of the stolen materials.
In a separate operation, the Special Intelligence Squad dismantled a four-man syndicate allegedly involved in the theft of Toyota vehicles in the FCT and neighbouring states. The suspects were identified as Adamu Yusuf, Hassan Bukar, Adamu Musa, also known as Yellow, and Abdulsalam Isa, aka Kada.
The Corps also arrested four suspected members of an armed robbery gang — Nuhu Ndam, Ponbin Lamkur, Yilcwat Sohdan and Ganpyal Dul. An AK-47 rifle, 16 rounds of 7.62x39mm ammunition and N70,000 cash were recovered during the operation.
The NSCDC further said it recovered Micaiah Nana, the last of 16 children allegedly trafficked by Archibong Anderson on January 15, 2026. The alleged buyers of the child have been arrested and are assisting investigators, according to the Corps.
Other suspects arrested included Bilyaminu Musa and Abba Yusuf, accused of vandalising power cables in central Abuja, and Theophilus Oche Oboii, who was arrested over the alleged theft of 15 tractor batteries belonging to the National Agricultural Seeds Council in Kwali. The batteries were allegedly sold for N20,000 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 said all suspects would be charged to court after investigations and once a prima facie case had been established.
