The Niger State Police Command has apprehended 12 suspects linked to a massive theft and vandalism operation at the Kainji Power Plant, with stolen items valued at over ₦4.8 billion. Additionally, two individuals were arrested for orchestrating a fake kidnapping to extort ₦7 million.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday by SP Wasiu Abiodun, the Niger State Command Public Relations Officer, the theft case originated from a complaint by Mainstream Energy Solutions Ltd on August 11, 2025. An inspection at the Kainji Power Plant’s navigation lock yard revealed that navigation lock metals and beams worth billions had been vandalized and stolen. Two supervisors, Shaibu Abu Sufyan (35) and Ibrahim Musa (31), were initially arrested and transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Minna.
Although both initially denied involvement, Abu Sufyan later confessed, implicating ten other security personnel under his supervision: Zayyanu Musa, Jibrin Abdullahi, Hassan Musa, Micah Adamu, Attahiru Umar, Abdulrahman Usman, Ismaila Ibrahim, Mubarak Husseini, Adamu Abubakar, and Abdullahi Abubakar (aka Zuma). Investigations uncovered a conspiracy with scrap dealers Musa Khalid, Abah Khalid, and Abdullahi in Nasarawa village, Mashegu LGA, who used acetylene gas and heavy equipment to dismantle and transport the metals during weekend nights since 2023. Police traced ₦12.5 million in transactions to Abu Sufyan and ₦11.5 million to Ibrahim Musa, with stolen items sold to companies in Lagos, Kwara, and Osun States. Efforts to apprehend the dealers and other collaborators are ongoing.
In a separate case, police in Minna uncovered a staged kidnapping reported on September 2, 2025, at the Tudun-Wada Division. Nine suspects were arrested, and 21 SIM cards were recovered from Suleiman Dauda of Mandela area and Salisu Dauda of Sahuka Kahuta, Minna, linked to fraudulent internet activities under a fake network marketing scheme called “Quest Int’l Company.” On September 17, 2025, with technical intelligence, police arrested Ahmed Alh. Bura (21) of Bauchi State, the supposed victim, and Shafiu Ibrahim (22) of Makujeri, who conspired after attending a car drifting event in Mandela to fake a kidnapping and demand ₦7 million from colleagues. Both are in SCID custody and will face charges alongside others previously arrested.
Additionally, on May 3, 2025, the Defence Headquarters reported the arrest of four security personnel, including two from hybrid forces, for aiding terrorist logistics in Bama, Kukawa, and Madagali LGAs in the North-East, as confirmed by Maj. Gen. Markus Kangye, Director of Defence Media Operations.
