Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kwara State Command, have arrested five suspected vandals for allegedly stealing transformer and streetlight cables in the Tanke area of Ilorin, the state capital.
The suspects, identified as Samson Akintola (21), Muhammed Zakariya (19), Mohammed Monsur (20), Ibrahim Hamida (19), and Kabir Abubakar (24), were apprehended around 1 a.m. on Saturday, November 1, 2025, during a joint operation involving NSCDC officers from the Tanke Division and members of the Tanke Community Vigilante Group.
According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Corps’ Public Relations Officer, ASC I Ayoola Shola, the suspects were intercepted while in possession of vandalised transformer and streetlight cables suspected to have been stolen from the Asa Dam and Sapati areas of Ilorin.
«“Items recovered include vandalised transformer cables, streetlight cables, and burnt copper wires,” the statement said.»
The NSCDC added that preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects had been engaged in willful vandalisation and theft of public electrical installations; offences that violate 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 completion of investigations,” Shola added, noting that efforts were ongoing to track down other accomplices connected to the crime.
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Speaking with PUNCH Online, the State Commandant of NSCDC, Dr Umar Mohammed, condemned the recurring cases of vandalism of public infrastructure, stressing that such acts sabotage national development and endanger communities by causing power outages and insecurity.
“We are committed to protecting all critical national assets and infrastructure in Kwara State,” Mohammed said.
“Let this serve as a warning to others: anyone caught sabotaging public utilities will face the full wrath of the law.”
The Commandant reaffirmed the Corps’ readiness to collaborate with local vigilante groups and residents to safeguard public installations across the state.
The arrest adds to a growing list of similar incidents across the country in recent months.
In September 2025, NSCDC operatives in Kano State apprehended six vandals involved in stealing electricity equipment at the Hayin Da’e area in Hotoro, Tarauni Local Government Area, following credible intelligence from local vigilantes.
Likewise, in July 2025, the NSCDC Tactical Squad in the Federal Capital Territory arrested sixteen suspects in separate operations for offences ranging from vandalism and theft to illegal mining.
