NSCDC Arrests Two Over Alleged Theft, Vandalism of TCN Electrical Equipment in Kwara
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kwara State Command, has arrested two suspects for the alleged theft, vandalisation and unlawful removal of electrical materials belonging to the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), in what the Command described as a major breakthrough in the fight against economic sabotage.
Addressing journalists at the Command headquarters in Ilorin on Tuesday, the Kwara State Commandant, Abbas Nda Mohammed, identified the suspects as Ishaq Kazeem, 43, and Abubakar Jubril, 41.
He said the suspects were apprehended on July 10, 2026, during an intelligence-led operation carried out by operatives of the Command Intelligence Crack Squad at a mechanic workshop in the Zango area near Oke-Andi Junction, after Bravo Filling Station in Ilorin.
According to the Commandant, the suspects were allegedly caught dismantling electrical materials believed to have been stolen from the Transmission Company of Nigeria.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the brand-new electrical equipment was allegedly removed from the TCN Regional Store in Jebba before being transported to Ilorin, where it was being destroyed and prepared for sale as scrap.
Mohammed explained that the operation followed credible intelligence, leading operatives to the location where the suspects were allegedly using a grinding machine and a sledgehammer to break down the electrical materials and extract iron components.
Items recovered during the operation included a DAF truck with registration number BRK-48-XA (Kebbi State), a mini truck with registration number ABJ-739-FX (Abuja), brand-new and vandalised heavy-duty electrical insulation materials, metal conductor poles, iron bars, a generator, a grinding machine, a sledgehammer, a suspected burnt copper rod and other electrical components believed to belong to the government.
The Commandant disclosed that investigations had been expanded to identify and apprehend other members of the alleged syndicate and ensure that all those connected with the crime are prosecuted.
“I have declared war against vandals, economic saboteurs and all criminal elements bent on undermining the efforts of government and threatening our critical national assets and infrastructure,” Mohammed said.
He warned that there would be no hiding place for criminals in Kwara State, stressing that the Command would continue to deploy intelligence-driven operations to identify, arrest, investigate and prosecute individuals involved in vandalism, theft of government property and other criminal activities.
Mohammed reaffirmed the NSCDC’s commitment to protecting critical national assets and infrastructure across the state, assuring residents that the Corps would sustain efforts to bring offenders to justice in accordance with the law.
NSCDC Arrests Two Over Alleged Theft, Vandalism of TCN Electrical Equipment in Kwara