NSCDC arrests two for alleged theft, vandalism of TCN equipment in Ilorin

By Ahmed Olayinka

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 significant breakthrough in the fight against economic sabotage, THE PRIME NEWS reports.

The statement was signed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASC I Ayoola Michael Shola and disclosed by the Kwara State Commandant of the NSCDC, Abbas Nda Mohammed, while addressing journalists at the Command headquarters in Ilorin on Tuesday.

According to him, the suspects, identified as Ishaq Kazeem, 43, and Abubakar Jubril, 41, were apprehended following an intelligence-led operation conducted by operatives of the Command.

Mohammed revealed that the suspects were arrested on July 10, 2026, at a mechanic workshop located 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.

He explained that preliminary investigations showed that the brand-new electrical equipment had been unlawfully removed from the TCN Regional Store in Jebba before being transported to Ilorin, where the suspects allegedly attempted to destroy the items and sell them as scrap.

THE PRIME NEWS reports that the Commandant said operatives of the NSCDC Command Intelligence Crack Squad acted on credible intelligence and stormed the workshop, where they reportedly caught the suspects using a grinding machine and sledgehammer to break down the electrical materials and extract valuable iron components.

Items recovered during the operation included a DAF truck with registration number BRK-48-XA (Kebbi State), 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 stated that investigations had been expanded to uncover the full network behind the alleged crime, adding that efforts were ongoing to identify and apprehend other members of the syndicate.

“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.

He further warned that there would be no hiding place for criminals in Kwara State, stressing that the Command would continue to deploy intelligence-driven operations to identify, arrest, investigate and prosecute anyone involved in vandalism, theft of government property or other criminal activities.

Mohammed reaffirmed the NSCDC’s commitment to safeguarding critical national assets and infrastructure across the state, assuring residents that the Command would not relent until those responsible for such crimes are brought to justice.