The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) says it has arrested a former Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) staff member and several other people over the alleged theft and sale of electricity cables worth more than ₦350 million.
The suspects were picked up by operatives of the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad after intelligence-led operations across the Federal Capital Territory and six other states: Nasarawa, Plateau, Kogi, Benue, Niger and Kaduna.
According to the NSCDC National Public Relations Officer, Assistant Commandant Babawale Afolabi, the group allegedly cut down over 15 kilometres of aluminium conductors along the Yangoji to Abaji route.
“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 ₦350m,” Afolabi said during a press briefing at the Corps’ headquarters in Abuja and at the vandalism site in Yangoji, Kwali Area Council.
Afolabi explained that investigators traced how the cables moved from the cut sites into city markets. Workers in the informal scrap trade were allegedly used as distribution channels.
“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,” Afolabi said.
The Corps said the arrests highlight risks posed when insider knowledge is used to target public infrastructure, and noted that labour in the power sector is also affected when outages and repairs increase the workload for technicians.
NSCDC stated it will continue operations to protect critical assets and that those found culpable will face prosecution.
