NSCDC nabs 13 suspects after a multi-state sweep covering alleged cable vandalism, car theft, robbery and a child trafficking recovery in Abuja

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps said on Monday, 14 September 2026, that it had arrested and paraded 13 suspects after operations by the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad across the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa, Plateau, Kogi, Benue, Niger and Kaduna. Assistant Commandant Babawale Afolabi, the Corps’ National Public Relations Officer, spoke at National Headquarters in Abuja and at a scene in Yangoji, Kwali Area Council.

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The headline case is alleged damage to the power grid. Operatives named Isaac Zegbe, 25, a former employee of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, as a principal suspect.

The Corps says he and others vandalised more than 15 kilometres of aluminium conductors between Yangoji and Abaji, put at over ₦350 million, and that the metal later turned up with marketers.

A sting at Gudu Market recovered cables and led to the arrest of suspected receivers, including Chijoke Christian, who the Corps says admitted buying stolen material. Shops linked to those purchases are to be sealed under a court order.

Assistant Commandant Babawale Afolabi said the work was part of efforts “to safeguard Critical National Assets and Infrastructure and eradicate crime.” He added that suspects would be charged “upon the conclusion of investigations and the establishment of a prima facie case against them.” Those remain allegations until a court decides.

The same briefing bundled other files. A four-man group accused of stealing Toyota vehicles was named as Adamu Yusuf, Hassan Bukar, Adamu Musa, also called Yellow, and Abdulsalam Isa, also called Kada.

Four men accused of armed robbery, Nuhu Ndam, Ponbin Lamkur, Yilcwat Sohdan and Ganpyal Dul, were said to have been found with an AK-47 rifle, serial number 3152097, 16 rounds of 7.62x39mm ammunition and ₦70,000. Bilyaminu Musa and Abba Yusuf were held over alleged cable theft inside Abuja.

Theophilus Oche Oboii was accused of taking 15 tractor batteries from the National Agricultural Seeds Council in Kwali and selling each for ₦20,000. Recoveries listed include a Toyota Camry registered YAB 163 EE, cut cables, batteries, keys, cutting tools, knives and a travel bag.

Separately, the squad said it had recovered Micaiah Nana, described as the last of 16 children allegedly taken by Archibong Anderson on 15 January 2026, and detained people said to have bought the child.

An earlier NSCDC account of the same syndicate said Anderson Archibong posed as a child-rights official. Those strands are serious. They are not, on the Corps’ own wording, finished prosecutions.

Parade days compress several investigations into one camera call. Thirteen people have been shown to the press. A long stretch of conductor is said to be missing.

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A child the Corps had been seeking is said to be back. The courts will have to sort which of those claims stand.