By Onyeje Abutu-Joel
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Benue Command on Wednesday, has arrested and paraded five male suspects for alleged criminal conspiracy and unlawful possession of vandalized materials.
The paraded suspects were Gbenda Nyiter, Tersoo Bawa, Hanmakwagh James, Jeremiah Uker and
Moses Ikyobo.
The Command Public Relations Officer, Mr Michael Ejelikwu who paraded the suspects before newsmen at the command’s headquarters in Makurdi said the suspects were apprehended on July 3, 2026 by operatives of the corps during a routine patrol along Tse – Ivue and Tse Dei Communities of Guma Local Government Area of Benue.
Ejelikwu said the arrest followed a credible intelligence on the activities of a syndicate specialized in vandalizing and trading in public utilities.
He said their men recovered items such as 350 meter Aluminum conductors suspected to be cut from power transmission lines and two yellow coloured unregistered tricycles used for conveying the items.
The PRO said preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects conspired and vandalized power installations around Tse- Dei and Tse- lvue communities in Guma causing disruption to electricity supply and economic loss to the government.
He also said during further investigation, one of the suspects, Bawa admitted to the offence while two claimed to be tricycle ridders operating within Makurdi metropolis.
The PRO disclosed that investigation into the grave economic sabotage is ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate, adding that the suspects would be charged to court upon completion of investigation.
Ejelikwu reiterated the corps’ zero-tolerance stance on vandalism of critical national assets, warning that the Command under the stewardship of Mrs Alice Bitrus would do all it takes to end vandalism in Benue by stepping up surveillance on all national assets in the state.
“Let me warn strongly that the State Commandant CC LA BITRUS 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.
“Vandalism is an act of grave economic sabotage, and anyone caught will face the full weight of the law”, he said.
He also warned scrap dealers and buyers to desist from patronizing vandals, saying that anyone found in possession of vandalized items would be treated as an accomplice under Section 3(6) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act.
The PRO commended members of the public for their continuous support through credible information and urged communities to remain continuously vigilant.
He appealed to residents of Benué to report suspicious activities around public infrastructures to the nearest NSCDC formation or through the Command’s emergency lines: 09022991199, 08036138130 and 07035830209. NAN
