Makurdi, June 10, 2025 – Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have arrested three suspected vandals for allegedly tampering with underground electrical cables in Benue State.
The suspects were apprehended in the early hours of Sunday, June 8, along the Gboko-Makurdi Road while attempting to remove critical electricity infrastructure. Acting on a tip-off, NSCDC personnel stormed the location and arrested the individuals before they could escape with the stolen cables.
Speaking at the Benue State NSCDC Command Headquarters in Makurdi on Monday, the State Commandant, Yakubu Ibrahim, confirmed the arrest and described it as a significant success in the Corps’ intensified efforts to safeguard national infrastructure.
“These suspects were caught in the act while digging up armoured power cables meant to supply electricity to the surrounding communities. This kind of economic sabotage has far-reaching consequences, and we will not tolerate it,” Ibrahim said.
Items recovered from the suspects included several metres of vandalised cables, digging tools, and a vehicle reportedly used to transport the stolen materials.
The commandant added that the three men are currently undergoing interrogation and will be prosecuted once investigations are concluded.
He also used the opportunity to appeal to residents of the state to remain alert and report any suspicious activity around public utilities, stressing that the protection of national assets is a shared responsibility.
Cable vandalism continues to pose a major challenge to power supply stability in Nigeria, and security agencies are ramping up efforts to combat the menace across the country.
