The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kwara State Command, has arrested five suspects for their alleged involvement in the vandalization and theft of transformer and streetlight cables in Ilorin, the State capital.

The suspects were apprehended through a joint operation conducted by NSCDC personnel of the Tanke Division and members of the Tanke Community Vigilante Group (VGN). The arrests were made at Tanke at about 1:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 1, 2025.

Arrested Suspects

The arrested suspects are:

Samson Akintola (Male, 21)

Muhammed Zakariya (Male, 19)

Mohammed Monsur (Male, 20)

Ibrahim Hamida (Male, 19)

Kabir Abubakar (Male, 24)

Recovered Items

During the operation, the team intercepted the suspects in possession of vandalized cables, suspected to have been removed from the Asa Dam, Sapati Area, in Ilorin. Items recovered include:

Vandalized transformer cables

Streetlight cables

Burnt copper wires

According to Ayoola Michael Shola, Spokesman of the Command, preliminary investigation indicates a case of willful vandalisation and theft of public electrical installations, in violation of Section 1(9) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap M17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

The suspects are currently in custody and will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other accomplices connected to the crime.

Speaking on the development, Umar Mohammed, the State Commandant, reaffirmed the Command's unwavering commitment to the protection of critical national assets and infrastructure (CNAI) across Kwara State.

He cautioned individuals and groups involved in acts of vandalism to desist, emphasising that the Corps would not relent in its mandate to safeguard public utilities and ensure that offenders face the full weight of the law.