The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested a former employee of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), Isaac Zegbe, alongside several other suspects over the alleged vandalism and theft of electricity cables valued at more than N350 million.
Zegbe, 25, was apprehended alongside his alleged accomplices by operatives of the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad during intelligence-led operations conducted across the Federal Capital Territory and six other states.
The operations covered the FCT, Nasarawa, Plateau, Kogi, Benue, Niger and Kaduna states.
The NSCDC National Public Relations Officer, Assistant Commandant Babawale Afolabi, disclosed this on Monday during a press briefing and parade at the Corps’ national headquarters in Abuja, as well as at the site of the alleged cable vandalism in Yangoji, Kwali Area Council of the FCT.
According to Afolabi, the suspects allegedly vandalised more than 15 kilometres of aluminium conductors along the Yangoji-Abaji route, with the stolen cables later supplied to dealers operating in different markets across the FCT.
He said the estimated value of the vandalised infrastructure was over N350 million.
Afolabi said the arrests followed sustained intelligence gathering aimed at protecting critical national assets and infrastructure from criminal activities.
He said the Corps subsequently carried out a sting operation at Gudu Market, Abuja, where a substantial quantity of the stolen electrical cables was recovered and suspected receivers were arrested.
Among those arrested was Chijoke Christian, who was accused of knowingly purchasing the vandalised cables.
The NSCDC spokesman added that the Corps had obtained a court order authorising the sealing of shops belonging to merchants allegedly involved in the purchase and distribution of the stolen aluminium conductors.
In a separate operation, operatives of the Special Intelligence Squad reportedly dismantled a four-member syndicate suspected of 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.
The Corps also announced the arrest of four other suspects allegedly linked to an armed robbery gang. They were identified as Nuhu Ndam, Ponbin Lamkur, Yilcwat Sohdan and Ganpyal Dul.
An AK-47 rifle bearing serial number 3152097, 16 rounds of 7.62x39mm live ammunition and N70,000 cash were reportedly recovered during the operation.
The NSCDC further disclosed that its operatives had rescued Micaiah Nana, the last of 16 children allegedly trafficked by Archibong Anderson on January 15, 2026.
According to the Corps, those suspected of purchasing the child had already been arrested and were assisting investigators with the ongoing investigation.
Other suspects arrested during the operations included Bilyaminu Musa and Abba Yusuf, who were accused of vandalising electricity cables in Abuja city centre.
Another suspect, Theophilus Oche Oboii, was arrested over the alleged theft of 15 tractor batteries belonging to the National Agricultural Seeds Council in Kwali.
The Corps said the batteries were allegedly sold for N20,000 each.
Items recovered during the various operations included a stolen Toyota Camry with registration number YAB 163 EE, severed armoured electrical cables, 15 tractor batteries, master keys, cutting implements, knives and a stolen travel bag containing clothes.
Afolabi assured that the NSCDC would sustain its operations against individuals and syndicates targeting critical national infrastructure and other valuable assets.
He added that all the suspects would be prosecuted after investigations are concluded and sufficient evidence is established.
“All suspects will be formally charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations and the establishment of a prima facie case against them,” he said.
