NSCDC Cracks Down on Infrastructure Vandalism, Arrests Two Suspects Over Alleged Theft of TCN Equipment in Kwara:
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kwara State Command, has recorded another major success in its ongoing campaign against the vandalism of critical national assets with the arrest of two suspects allegedly linked to the theft and destruction of electrical materials belonging to the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).
The development was disclosed by the Kwara State Commandant of the NSCDC, Commandant Abbas Nda Mohammed, during a media briefing at the Command Headquarters in Ilorin, where he reaffirmed the Corps’ commitment to protecting public infrastructure and combating economic sabotage across the state.
According to the Commandant, the suspects, Ishaq Kazeem (43) and Abubakar Jubril (41), were apprehended on 10 July 2026 during an intelligence-driven operation carried out by operatives of the Command Intelligence Crack Squad.
The operation followed credible intelligence which led security personnel to a mechanic workshop located in the Zango area near Oke-Andi Junction, after Bravo Filling Station, Ilorin, where the suspects were allegedly dismantling heavy-duty electrical equipment believed to have been stolen from the Transmission Company of Nigeria.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the brand-new electrical materials were allegedly removed unlawfully from the TCN Regional Store in Jebba before being transported to Ilorin, where they were reportedly being destroyed for sale as scrap metal.
During the operation, NSCDC operatives allegedly caught the suspects using industrial tools, including a grinding machine and sledgehammer, to dismantle the equipment and extract valuable metal components.
Items recovered from the scene include a DAF truck with registration number BRK-48-XA (Kebbi State), a mini truck bearing registration number ABJ-739-FX (Abuja), heavy-duty electrical insulation materials, metal conductor poles, iron bars, a generator, grinding machine, sledgehammer, suspected burnt copper rods, and other electrical components believed to belong to the Federal Government.
Commandant Mohammed described the arrest as a significant breakthrough in the Command’s sustained efforts to protect critical national infrastructure and warned that acts of vandalism and economic sabotage would not be tolerated in Kwara State.
He stressed that investigations are ongoing to identify other members of the suspected syndicate and ensure that everyone connected with the criminal network is brought to justice.
The Commandant declared that the NSCDC has intensified intelligence-based operations across the state, emphasizing that criminals involved in vandalism, theft of government property, and related offences would face the full weight of the law.
He further reassured residents of Kwara State that the Corps remains resolute in safeguarding critical national assets and maintaining public confidence through proactive security operations.
The latest operation underscores the NSCDC’s determination to strengthen the protection of strategic infrastructure and curb activities capable of undermining Nigeria’s economic development and public safety.
