NSCDC: Arrests Ex-AEDC Worker for N350M Cable Theft in FCT

• The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps arrested Isaac Zegbe, a former AEDC worker, and others for the alleged theft of over N350 million worth of electricity cables.
• Over 15 kilometres of aluminium conductors, vandalised between Yangoji and Abaji, were distributed to FCT markets.
• NSCDC recovered stolen cables at Gudu Market, Abuja, and arrested receivers, including Chijoke Christian who confessed to knowingly purchasing them.
• The Corps obtained a court order to seal the shops of merchants linked to the purchase of the stolen aluminium cables.
• These arrests are part of broader NSCDC efforts to protect critical national assets and combat various crimes, including vehicle theft, armed robbery, and child trafficking.

The Corps has successfully obtained a court order, allowing it to seal the shops of all merchants found to be linked to the purchase of the stolen aluminium cables.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) recently announced the apprehension of Isaac Zegbe, a 25-year-old former employee of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), in connection with the alleged vandalism and theft of electricity cables valued at over N350 million. Zegbe was taken into custody alongside several accomplices by operatives from the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad. This significant operation, targeting `NSCDC arrests ex-AEDC worker N350m cable theft`, spanned multiple states including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nasarawa, Plateau, Kogi, Benue, Niger, and Kaduna, following intelligence-driven efforts.

Assistant Commandant Babawale Afolabi, the National Public Relations Officer for the NSCDC, publicly disclosed these details on Monday during a press briefing held at the Corps' national headquarters in Abuja, as well as at the scene of the `cable vandalism` in Yangoji, Kwali Area Council of the FCT. The investigation revealed that the suspects were responsible for damaging more than 15 kilometres of `aluminium conductors` that stretched from Yangoji to Abaji. These stolen cables were subsequently distributed to various marketers operating in markets across the FCT.

Further investigative actions led to a targeted sting operation where NSCDC operatives successfully recovered a substantial quantity of the vandalised electrical cables at Gudu Market in Abuja. During this recovery, several suspected receivers were arrested, including Chijoke Christian, who reportedly admitted to knowingly purchasing the illicit materials. The Corps' swift action underscores its commitment to addressing `electricity theft FCT` and protecting vital infrastructure.

The arrests are part of the NSCDC's broader strategic initiatives aimed at safeguarding `critical national assets and infrastructure` across Nigeria and combating criminal activities. The Corps has demonstrated a particularly aggressive enforcement stance against those involved in the trade of stolen public property. In a notable development, the NSCDC has successfully obtained a court order, allowing it to seal the shops of all merchants found to be linked to the purchase of the `stolen aluminium cables`.

This legal action, which permits the `NSCDC seals shops stolen aluminium cables`, signals a heightened compliance risk for businesses, especially those dealing in scrap metal or related materials. The confession by Chijoke Christian, acknowledging the knowing purchase of stolen goods, highlights the potential legal jeopardy faced by individuals and enterprises that fail to conduct robust due diligence on their supply chains. Such proactive measures by the `Nigeria Security Civil Defence Corps` underscore a zero-tolerance approach to `cable vandalism` and the illicit trade that fuels it.

For businesses, particularly those in the scrap metal or related trade, this development necessitates a re-evaluation of their procurement processes. The risk of asset forfeiture and other severe legal consequences for being implicated in the purchase of stolen critical infrastructure components is now demonstrably high. Legal counsel should advise clients on implementing stringent verification protocols to avoid inadvertently supporting criminal networks and facing the full force of the law.

Beyond the extensive `Abuja Electricity Distribution Company stolen cables` investigation, the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad has been engaged in a series of other significant operations. These include the dismantling of a four-member syndicate allegedly specialising in the theft of Toyota vehicles across the FCT and neighbouring states. The suspects in this case were identified as Adamu Yusuf, Hassan Bukar, Adamu Musa (also known as Yellow), and Abdulsalam Isa (also known as Kada).

In separate actions, the Corps also apprehended four suspected members of an armed robbery gang, identified as Nuhu Ndam, Ponbin Lamkur, Yilcwat Sohdan, and Ganpyal Dul. From this group, operatives recovered an AK-47 rifle with serial number 3152097, 16 rounds of 7.62x39mm live ammunition, and N70,000 in cash. The NSCDC further reported the recovery of Micaiah Nana, the last of 16 children allegedly trafficked by Archibong Anderson on January 15, 2026, with the alleged purchasers arrested and assisting investigators.

Additional arrests include Bilyaminu Musa and Abba Yusuf, accused of vandalising power cables within the Abuja city centre, and Theophilus Oche Oboii, who was apprehended for the alleged theft of 15 tractor batteries belonging to the National Agricultural Seeds Council in Kwali, reportedly sold for N20,000 each. A stolen Toyota Camry was also among other items recovered during these wide-ranging operations, demonstrating the NSCDC's comprehensive efforts in `critical national assets protection Nigeria` and general crime prevention.

The NSCDC's aggressive enforcement, including obtaining court orders to seal shops of receivers, signals a heightened compliance risk for businesses dealing in materials that could be stolen critical infrastructure components. Lawyers should advise clients, particularly those in scrap metal or related trade, on robust due diligence to avoid being implicated in the purchase of stolen goods and facing asset forfeiture.

Source: Original reporting via PUNCH