A total of sixteen individuals have been arrested in separate operations across the Federal Capital Territory by the Tactical Squad of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps for offences ranging from vandalism and theft to illegal mining.
The arrests were confirmed in a statement released by Monica Ojobi, the Acting Public Relations Officer of the FCT Command, on Friday, July 4, 2025.
According to the statement, the suspects were taken into custody by the Critical National Assets and Infrastructure (CNAI) unit of the Corps. This unit has been working around the clock to protect key government installations and public utilities in Abuja.
The arrests happened during several late-night patrols in different parts of the city. The suspects were caught trying to steal items including electrical cables, pipes, telecom devices, and other property.
Three men — Mubarak Barau (29), John Yakubu (24), and Shamsudeen Usman (25) — were arrested in the Central Area. The NSCDC noted that these individuals were caught with materials reportedly stolen from the National Agricultural Development Fund office.
Some of the seized items include eight rolls of armoured cable, an LG outdoor air conditioning unit, a sound speaker, two plastic chairs, two bags filled with electric wires, a travel bag with clothes, and a saw.
In another part of the city, three more suspects — Danjuma Jerome (25), Maah Ishiaka (28), and Shefiu Muktar (30) — were picked up at Brains and Hammers Estate, Apo Dutse, near ShopRite. The trio was linked to the theft of 16mm electrical wires and was accused of criminal conspiracy.
Over in the Jahi District, four persons — Stephen Istifanus (43), Yakubu Thankgod (25), Danladi Samson (29), and Barnabas Sobok (37) — were found stealing galvanised pipes and charged with vandalism and theft.
At another site in Kallada, near Cocoa, Idu, 43-year-old Saidu Shuibu was arrested for taking part in illegal mining. In a separate operation at Kukwaba in Idu, five suspects — Phahat Abba (20), Usman Adama (24), Ali Shefiu (33), Adamu Shuibu (20), and Yakubu Abubakar (21) — were arrested for illegal mining and sand dredging.
Items recovered from this group included black armoured cables, three shovels, seven diggers, a knife, pincers, two pinches, transformer fuses, a ring boiler, and other electrical equipment.
Reacting to the arrests, the FCT Commandant of the NSCDC, Dr. Olusola Odumosu, noted that the protection of public property remains a top priority for the Corps. He said:
“These assets are not for aesthetics, they are essential to make life more meaningful for the residents of the FCT. We must ensure their protection; that is why we are here,” Odumosu stated.
He warned criminals to stop their illegal activities or be ready to face the full wrath of the law. He also urged residents of the Federal Capital Territory to support the NSCDC by sharing useful information that can help fight crime effectively.
