The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested two suspects over alleged theft, vandalisation and unlawful removal of electrical materials belonging to the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) in Kwara State.
The state’s NSCDC command disclosed that the alleged offenders, 43-year-old Ishaq Kazeem alongside Abubakar Jubril, 41, were apprehended following an intelligence-led operation by it’s operatives as part of its ongoing efforts to combat economic sabotage and protect critical national infrastructure.
Addressing journalists on Tuesday, at the Command headquarters in Ilorin, the Commandant, Abbas Mohammed, said that the suspects were arrested on July 10, 2026, at a mechanic workshop in the Zango area near Oke-Andi Junction, after Bravo Filling Station in Ilorin, where they were allegedly dismantling electrical materials suspected to have been stolen from the TCN.
According to Mohammed, preliminary investigations revealed that the brand-new electrical equipment was unlawfully removed from the TCN Regional Store in Jebba and transported to Ilorin for destruction and eventual sale as scrap.
He said operatives of the NSCDC Command Intelligence Crack Squad stormed the location after receiving credible intelligence and allegedly caught the suspects using a grinding machine and sledgehammer to break down the materials and extract iron components.
Items recovered from the scene included a DAF truck with registration number BRK-48-XA (Kebbi), 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 be government property.
Mohammed said investigations had been expanded to identify and arrest other members of the syndicate and ensure that all those involved 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,” the Commandant said.
“Under my watch, there will be no hiding place for criminals in Kwara State. The Command will continue to deploy intelligence-driven operations to identify, arrest, investigate and prosecute anyone found engaging in acts of vandalism, theft of government property or any other criminal activity.”
He reassured residents that the NSCDC remained committed to protecting critical national assets and infrastructure across the state.