NSCDC arrests 21-year-old suspected vandal, recovers ₦2m armoured cables in Jigawa
Kola Oyelere Kano
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Jigawa State Command, has arrested a 21-year-old man, Mubarak Adamu, over the alleged attempted vandalism and theft of armoured cables attached to a KEDCO transformer in Gumel Local Government Area of the state.
The suspect was arrested at about 4:20 a.m. on Monday, September 21, 2026, at Dantanoma Quarters, following a distress call from a resident who alerted NSCDC personnel to the presence of suspected vandals around the transformer installation.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Command’s Civil Defence Public Relations Officer, ASC Badruddeen Tijjani Mahmud, said the Gumel Divisional Officer, CSC Bashir Ya’u, immediately mobilised personnel and the Anti-Vandalism Squad to the scene.
According to the statement, the operatives met the suspects allegedly attempting to gain access to the transformer. While Adamu was apprehended, two other suspects escaped and are being pursued by the Corps.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly used a cutlass to cut and dismantle the protective wire fence around the transformer before gaining access to the armoured cables.
The NSCDC said three armoured cables, each measuring approximately 15 metres and estimated to be worth ₦2 million, were recovered from the scene.
During interrogation, the arrested suspect allegedly provided information about other persons believed to be connected with the operation.
The Command identified Musa and Binya as alleged accomplices who are currently at large, while Umar Fagge Babagana Layi was allegedly mentioned as a receiver and buyer of vandalised cables.
The suspect also allegedly disclosed his involvement with one Yusuf Asake, who is currently in custody, in previous acts of vandalism.
The investigation further indicated that the group may have been involved in the alleged vandalism of metal materials at the Government Technical School, Gumel.
The suspect also reportedly told investigators that members of the group had attempted to vandalise a transformer at Dan Modi Housing Estate, Gumel, but were chased away by NSCDC personnel.
The NSCDC State Commandant, CC Muhammad Kabiru Ingawa, commended the resident whose timely information led to the operation and arrest.
Ingawa reaffirmed the Corps’ commitment to protecting critical national assets and infrastructure, particularly electricity installations, from vandals and other criminal elements.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and provide timely and credible information about suspicious activities around critical infrastructure.
The Command said efforts were ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects and determine the full extent of their alleged involvement in the vandalism of critical infrastructure in the area.
It added that all suspects would be accorded due process and prosecuted in accordance with the law upon completion of investigations.