From Taiye Joseph, Ilorin
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kwara State Command, has arrested two suspects over the alleged theft, vandalisation and unlawful removal of electrical materials belonging to the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), in what the Command described as a major breakthrough in the fight against economic sabotage.
Addressing journalists at the Command headquarters in Ilorin, the Kwara State Commandant, Abbas Mohammed, said the suspects, identified as Ishaq Kazeem, 43, and Abubakar Jubril, 41, were apprehended following an intelligence-led operation carried out by the Command’s operatives.
According to the Commandant, the suspects were arrested on July 10, 2026, at a mechanic workshop in 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.
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He disclosed that preliminary investigations indicated that the brand-new electrical equipment was unlawfully removed from the TCN Regional Store in Jebba before being transported to Ilorin for destruction and eventual sale as scrap.
Mohammed said operatives of the NSCDC Command Intelligence Crack Squad, stormed the location after receiving credible intelligence and caught the suspects allegedly 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.
The Commandant said investigations had been expanded to identify and arrest other members of the syndicate as well as ensure that everyone involved is 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,” Mohammed said.
He added, “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.”
Mohammed reassured residents that the NSCDC remained committed to protecting critical national assets and infrastructure across the state.
“We will not relent until criminal elements are brought to justice in accordance with the law,” he said.
