Odita Sunday 
By Odita Sunday
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested 13 suspects in connection with cable vandalism, armed robbery, car theft and human trafficking across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and six other states.
The National Public Relations Officer of the Corps, Assistant Commandant Babawale Afolabi, disclosed this during a press parade at the NSCDC National Headquarters in Abuja and at a crime scene in Yangoji, Kwali Area Council.
Afolabi said the arrests were made by operatives of the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad (CG’s SIS) during intelligence-driven operations spanning the FCT, Nasarawa, Plateau, Kogi, Benue, Niger and Kaduna states.
He identified one of the major breakthroughs as 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 axis.
According to Afolabi, the vandalised cables were valued at more than N350 million and were subsequently distributed to marketers across several markets in the FCT.
He said the CG’s SIS, following a targeted sting operation, recovered a significant quantity of the vandalised electrical cables at Gudu Market and arrested suspected receivers, including Chijoke Christian, who allegedly confessed to knowingly purchasing the stolen cables.
Afolabi added that the Corps had secured a court order to seal the shops of merchants linked to the purchase of stolen aluminium cables.
The NSCDC spokesman further disclosed that intelligence-led operations had dismantled a four-man car theft syndicate specialising in the theft of Toyota vehicles across the FCT and neighbouring states.
He identified the suspects as Adamu Yusuf, Hassan Bukar, Adamu Musa, also known as “Yellow”, and Abdulsalam Isa, also known as “Kada”.
Afolabi also said operatives apprehended four members of an armed robbery gang identified as Nuhu Ndam, Ponbin Lamkur, Yilcwat Sohdan and Ganpyal Dul.
He said the operatives recovered an AK-47 rifle with serial number 3152097, 16 rounds of 7.62x39mm live ammunition and N70,000 cash from the suspects.
In another major breakthrough, Afolabi said the CG’s SIS had recovered Micaiah Nana, the last of 16 children allegedly trafficked by Archibong Anderson on January 15, 2026.
He said those who allegedly purchased the child had been detained and were assisting investigators with the ongoing investigation.
The NSCDC spokesman added that other suspects arrested in separate operations included Bilyaminu Musa and Abba Yusuf, who were arrested over alleged power cable vandalism within Abuja city centre.
He also identified Theophilus Oche Oboii as a suspect arrested over the alleged theft of 15 tractor batteries belonging to the National Agricultural Seeds Council in Kwali.
According to him, the suspect allegedly sold the batteries for N20,000 each.
Afolabi said other 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.
He assured Nigerians that the Corps would continue its intelligence-driven operations to protect Critical National Assets and Infrastructure and deny criminal elements safe havens.
“All suspects will be formally charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations and the establishment of a prima facie case against them,” Afolabi stated.
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