The Niger State Police Command has arrested 14 suspects in two separate high-profile cases, relating to the massive theft and vandalism scandal at the Kainji Power Plant valued at over ₦4.8 billion and a staged kidnapping plot designed to extort ₦7 million from unsuspecting colleagues.
In a statement issued Wednesday by the state police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, the command disclosed that investigations had exposed how security personnel and scrap dealers colluded for years to loot the nation’s critical infrastructure.
The police said the first case originated from a petition by Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited on August 11, 2025.
The company reported large-scale theft of navigation lock metals and beams at the Kainji Hydro Power Plant, a key national power installation.
“An inspection at the navigation lock yard revealed that some navigation lock metals and beams worth billions were vandalised and carted away by unknown persons.
“Following this, two supervisors at the plant were arrested and transferred to the SCID Minna,” Abiodun said.
He identified the suspects as Shaibu Sufyan, Ibrahim Musa, Zayyanu Musa, Jibrin Abdullahi, Hassan Musa, Micah Adamu, Attahiru Umar, Abdulrahman Usman, Ismaila Ibrahim, Mubarak Husseini, Adamu Abubakar, and Abdullahi Abubakar (aka Zuma).
Others are Musa Khalid, Abah Khalid, and Abdullahi of Nasarawa village in Mashegu Local Government Area.
“These criminal activities have been ongoing since 2023. So far, ₦12.5 million transactions were traced between Abu Sufyan and one of the dealers, while ₦11.5 million was linked to Ibrahim Musa.
“The stolen items were sold to companies in Lagos, Kwara, and Osun States,” the police revealed.
The command confirmed that a manhunt is ongoing to track the scrap dealers and other collaborators who profited from the looting.
Meanwhile, in a separate development, the police in Minna have uncovered a fake kidnapping racket, allegedly masterminded by youths to swindle their colleagues.
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The case, first reported on September 2, 2025, involved nine suspects and the recovery of 21 SIM cards linked to fraudulent internet activities under a pyramid scheme called Quest International Company.
Police identified the main actors as Ahmed Bura, and Shafiu Ibrahim.
The duo reportedly disappeared after attending a car drifting show in Minna and later demanded a ₦7 million ransom from their colleagues.
“Findings indicated that both suspects conspired to fake their abduction in order to extort ransom.
“They are currently in SCID custody and will be charged in court, alongside other suspects earlier arrested,” police said.
