A former employee of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), Isaac Zegbe, 25, and his alleged accomplices have been arrested by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) over the alleged vandalism and theft of electricity cables worth more than N350 million.
Zegbe was arrested alongside other suspects by operatives of the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad (CG-SIS) during intelligence-led operations across the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa, Plateau, Kogi, Benue, Niger and Kaduna states.
The NSCDC said the suspects allegedly vandalised more than 15 kilometres of aluminium conductors running from Yangoji to Abaji in the FCT, with the stolen cables subsequently distributed to marketers in different markets.
The Corps’ National Public Relations Officer, Assistant Commandant Babawale Afolabi, disclosed this yesterday during a press parade at the NSCDC national headquarters in Abuja and at the scene of the alleged vandalism in Yangoji, Kwali Area Council.
Afolabi said the arrests were part of the Corps’ efforts to protect critical national assets and infrastructure from vandals and criminal networks.
He said: “As part of ongoing operational successes to safeguard Critical National Assets and Infrastructure and eradicate crime, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has arrested Isaac Zegbe, 25, a former employee of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, alongside his accomplices, who vandalised over 15 kilometres of aluminium conductors running from Yangoji to Abaji, valued at over N350m.”
Following a sting operation, operatives also recovered a large quantity of the allegedly stolen cables at Gudu Market, Abuja, where suspected receivers were arrested.
One of the suspects, identified as Chijoke Christian, was allegedly found to have knowingly purchased the stolen cables.
According to Afolabi, the NSCDC has obtained a court order to seal shops belonging to merchants linked to the purchase of the vandalised aluminium cables.
He said: “The stolen cables were subsequently distributed to marketers across several FCT markets. Following a targeted sting operation, NSCDC operatives recovered a significant volume of vandalised electrical cables at Gudu Market and arrested suspected receivers, including Chijoke Christian, who confessed to knowingly purchasing the stolen cables.
“The Corps has secured a court order to seal off the shops of all merchants linked to buying stolen aluminium cables.”
In a separate operation, the CG-SIS dismantled a four-man syndicate allegedly involved 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 NSCDC also arrested four suspected members of an armed robbery gang identified as Nuhu Ndam, Ponbin Lamkur, Yilcwat Sohdan and Ganpyal Dul.
An AK-47 rifle, with serial number 3152097, 16 rounds of 7.62x39mm live ammunition and N70,000 cash were recovered during the operation.
The Corps further disclosed that its operatives had recovered Micaiah Nana, the last of 16 children allegedly trafficked by Archibong Anderson on January 15, 2026.
According to the NSCDC, those who allegedly purchased the child had been arrested and were assisting investigators.
Other suspects arrested included Bilyaminu Musa and Abba Yusuf, who were allegedly involved in the vandalism of power cables in the 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 operations included a stolen Toyota Camry with registration number YAB 163 EE, cut armoured electrical cables, 15 tractor batteries, master keys, cutting tools, knives and a stolen travel bag containing clothing.
Afolabi assured Nigerians that the NSCDC would continue its crackdown on criminal networks and deny criminals safe havens.
He said all suspects would be prosecuted after investigations.
“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.
