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From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Benue State Command, has arrested and paraded five suspects for alleged criminal conspiracy and unlawful possession of vandalised materials.
The suspects, aged between 20 and 35 years, were apprehended on 29th and 30th June and 3rd July 2026 by operatives of the command during a routine patrol along the Tse – Ivue and Tse Dei Communities of Guma Local Government Area (LGA) and around Lafia Junction North Bank area of Makurdi LGA.
The arrest followed credible intelligence on the activities of a syndicate specialised in vandalising and trading in public utilities.
The Suspects are Gbenda Nyiter, Tersoo Bawa, Hanmakwagh James, Jeremiah Uker and Moses Ikyobo.
Items recovered from the site include about 350 meter Aluminum conductors suspected to be cut from power transmission lines and two yellow-coloured unregistered tricycles used for conveying the items.
One of the suspects, Tersoo Bawa, admitted to the offence, while two claimed to be tricycle riders operating within Makurdi metropolis.
Preliminary investigation revealed that they conspired and vandalised power installations around Tse- Dei and Tse-Lvue communities in Guma LGA, causing disruption to electricity supply and economic loss to the government.
Parading the suspects, Command Public Relations Officer Ejelikwu Michael, a Superintendent of Corps, reiterated the Corps’ zero-tolerance stance on vandalism of critical national assets.
He said, “Let me warn strongly that the State Commandant CC Bitrus Larai is personally upscaling efforts at bringing these enemies of national security to justice, and the NSCDC will not relent in its mandate to protect critical national assets and infrastructure.
He noted, “Vandalism is an act of grave economic sabotage, and anyone caught will face the full weight of the law. We commend members of the public for their continuous support through credible information, and we urge communities to remain vigilant.”
The Command further warned scrap dealers and buyers to desist from patronising vandals, as anyone found in possession of vandalised items will be treated as an accomplice under Section 3(6) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act.
Ejelikwu said an investigation into the grave economic sabotage is ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate, while the suspects will be charged to court upon completion of the investigation.
The Command appealed to residents of Benue State to report suspicious activities around public infrastructure to the nearest NSCDC formation or through the Command’s emergency lines, including 09022991199, 08036138130, 07035830209.
