The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has arrested a former employee of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, Isaac Zegbe, and other suspects over the alleged vandalism and theft of electricity cables worth over N350m.
Zegbe, 25, was arrested alongside his accomplices by operatives of the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad during intelligence-driven operations across the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa, Plateau, Kogi, Benue, Niger and Kaduna states.
The National Public Relations Officer of the NSCDC, Assistant Commandant Babawale Afolabi, disclosed this on Monday during a press parade at the Corps’ national headquarters in Abuja and at the scene of the cable vandalism in Yangoji, Kwali Area Council of the FCT.
Afolabi said the suspects vandalised over 15 kilometres of aluminium conductors running from Yangoji to Abaji, with the stolen cables subsequently distributed to marketers in various markets across the FCT.
He said, “As part of ongoing operational successes to safeguard Critical National Assets and Infrastructure and eradicate crime, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has arrested Isaac Zegbe, 25, a former employee of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, alongside his accomplices, who vandalised over 15 kilometres of aluminium conductors running from Yangoji to Abaji, valued at over N350m.”
Following a sting operation, the NSCDC also recovered a significant quantity of the vandalised cables at Gudu Market, Abuja, and arrested suspected receivers. One of the suspects, identified as Chijoke Christian, was alleged to have knowingly purchased the stolen cables.
Afolabi said the Corps had obtained a court order to seal the shops of merchants linked to the purchase of the stolen aluminium cables
“The stolen cables were subsequently distributed to marketers across several FCT markets. 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. The Corps has secured a court order to seal off the shops of all merchants linked to buying stolen aluminium cables”, Afolabi said.
He said the arrests formed part of the NSCDC’s ongoing efforts to protect critical national assets and infrastructure and curb criminal activities across the country.
In a separate operation, he said the CG’s SIS dismantled a four-man syndicate allegedly specialising 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. He said operatives also arrested four suspected members of an armed robbery gang identified as Nuhu Ndam, Ponbin Lamkur, Yilcwat Sohdan and Ganpyal Dul.
An AK-47 rifle with serial number 3152097, 16 rounds of 7.62x39mm live ammunition and N70,000 cash were recovered from the suspects. The NSCDC further disclosed that its operatives recovered Micaiah Nana, the last of 16 children allegedly trafficked by Archibong Anderson on January 15, 2026.
According to the Corps, the individuals who allegedly purchased the child had been arrested and were assisting investigators.
Other suspects arrested included Bilyaminu Musa and Abba Yusuf, who were accused of vandalising power cables in the Abuja city centre, 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 NSCDC said the batteries were allegedly sold for N20,000 each.
Other items recovered during the 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 that the Corps would continue to deny criminal elements safe havens, adding that the suspects would be charged to court after investigations.
He said, “All suspects will be formally charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations and the establishment of a prima facie case against them.”
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