The Kwara State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested five suspected vandals for allegedly stealing transformer and streetlight cables in the Tanke area of Ilorin.
The suspects—Samson Akintola (21), Muhammed Zakariya (19), Mohammed Monsur (20), Ibrahim Hamida (19), and Kabir Abubakar (24)—were arrested around 1 a.m. on November 1, 2025, during a joint operation involving NSCDC personnel from the Tanke Division and the Tanke Community Vigilante Group.
A statement issued by the Corps’ Public Relations Officer, ASC Ayoola Shola, stated that the suspects were found with vandalised electrical cables believed to have been removed from installations in the Asa Dam and Sapati areas.
According to the statement, their actions amount to an offence under Section 1(9) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap M17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The suspects are currently in custody and are expected to be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other alleged accomplices.
Kwara State NSCDC Commandant, Dr. Umar Mohammed, cautioned against vandalism of public infrastructure, noting that such acts disrupt essential services and pose security risks.
He said the command will continue to work with community vigilantes and residents to protect critical installations across the state.
The NSCDC has made similar arrests in Kano and the Federal Capital Territory this year during operations targeting vandalism and other crimes affecting critical infrastructure.
