The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Jigawa State has arrested a 35-year-old man, Rayyanu Ibrahim, for allegedly vandalizing and stealing an armoured cable from the Birnin Kudu Township Water Station. According to the NSCDC's Public Relations Officer, ASC Badaruddeen Tijjani, the incident occurred in the early hours of September 20, 2026. The crime was reported to the NSCDC office at about 4:00 AM, after unknown individuals overran the facility and tampered with its critical electrical installations.
Following the distress call, the Divisional Officer for the Birnin Kudu Division, A. S. Adam, deployed a team of operatives to investigate. Acting on intelligence from the Birnin Kudu Peace and Security Group, the operatives arrested Ibrahim at about 11:00 AM on the same day. The suspect, a resident of Kurima in Birnin Kudu, was caught red-handed with the stolen armoured cable, which was later recovered and logged as an official exhibit.
A formal inspection of the crime scene by Adam confirmed extensive damage to the water station's power network. The vandalism has severely affected the facility's operations, highlighting the need for enhanced security measures to protect critical infrastructure. The NSCDC has taken the suspect into custody and is currently broadening its network to track down buyers and any fleeing accomplices.
During interrogation, Ibrahim reportedly admitted to his involvement in the crime and disclosed that he operates other cable theft rings, selling stolen public cables to local scrap dealers. The NSCDC is working to identify and apprehend other individuals involved in the theft and sale of stolen public cables.
The Jigawa State Commandant of the NSCDC, Muhammad Ingawa, has vowed to crack down on infrastructure vandals. He emphasized the command's determination to safeguard critical national assets and urged the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements around public infrastructure.
The arrest of Ibrahim is a significant breakthrough in the fight against vandalism and theft of public infrastructure in Jigawa State. The NSCDC's efforts to protect critical infrastructure and apprehend those responsible for such crimes have been commended by the public and stakeholders.
The NSCDC has promised to ensure that further actions are taken strictly in accordance with extant laws once investigations are concluded. The command's efforts to combat vandalism and theft of public infrastructure are ongoing, with a focus on enhancing security measures and collaborating with stakeholders to prevent such crimes.
Key points
- The NSCDC arrested a 35-year-old man for vandalizing and stealing an armoured cable from the Birnin Kudu Township Water Station in Jigawa State.
- The suspect, Rayyanu Ibrahim, was caught red-handed with the stolen cable and has admitted to his involvement in the crime.
- The NSCDC is working to identify and apprehend other individuals involved in the theft and sale of stolen public cables.
