Police in Niger State, Federal Republic of Nigeria, have arrested 14 suspects in two separate high-profile cases involving the massive theft and vandalism of equipment at the Kainji Power Plant valued at over ₦4.8 billion, and a staged kidnap aimed at extorting a ₦7 million ransom.
Spokesperson for the Niger State Police Command, Wasiu Abiodun, said the first case began with a complaint from Mainstream Energy Solutions Ltd on August 11, 2025, which uncovered a long-running conspiracy by security staff at the Kainji Power Plant.
“An inspection at the navigation lock yard of the Kainji Power Plant revealed that some navigation lock metals and beams worth billions of naira were vandalised and carted away by unknown persons. Following this, two supervisors at the plant were arrested and transferred to SCID Minna,” the statement read.
The suspects, identified as Shaibu Abu Sufyan (35) and Ibrahim Musa (31), initially denied involvement. However, Abu Sufyan later confessed and implicated ten other security personnel under his supervision. They include Zayyanu Musa, Jibrin Abdullahi, Hassan Musa, Micah Adamu, Attahiru Umar, Abdulrahman Usman, Ismaila Ibrahim, Mubarak Husseini, Adamu Abubakar, and Abdullahi Abubakar (aka Zuma).
Investigations further revealed that the group conspired with scrap dealers Musa Khalid, Abah Khalid, and Abdullahi of Nasarawa village, Mashegu LGA. According to police, the dealers mobilised heavy equipment to dismantle the metals using acetylene gas, cut them into pieces, and transported them in trucks during weekends at night.
“These criminal activities have been ongoing since 2023. So far, ₦12.5 million in transactions were traced between Abu Sufyan and one of the dealers, while ₦11.5 million was linked to Ibrahim Musa. The stolen items were sold to companies in Lagos, Kwara, and Osun States,” police disclosed.
The Command confirmed that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the dealers and other collaborators.
Separately, on May 3, 2025, the Defence Headquarters confirmed the arrest of four security personnel for aiding terrorist operations in the North-East.
According to the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Markus Kangye, the suspects included two personnel from the hybrid forces who had been working alongside troops to combat insurgency. They were arrested between April 26 and 29, during operations across Bama, Kukawa, and Madagali LGAs. He added that they were among four terrorist logistics suppliers apprehended by troops.
In another development, police in Minna uncovered a staged kidnapping involving two young men who faked their abduction to defraud their colleagues.
The case, initially reported to the Tudun-Wada Division on September 2, 2025, led to the arrest of nine suspects and the recovery of 21 SIM cards from Suleiman Dauda of Mandela area and Salisu Dauda of Sahuka Kahuta, Minna.
Investigations linked the group to fraudulent internet activities under the guise of a network marketing scheme called Quest Int’l Company.
With the aid of technical intelligence, police arrested the supposed kidnap victim, Ahmed Alh. Bura (21), of Bauchi State, and his alleged abductor, Shafiu Ibrahim (22), of Makujeri, on September 17, 2025.
“Findings indicated that both suspects attended a car drifting event at the Mandela area and conspired to disappear afterwards. They demanded a ransom of ₦7 million from their colleagues in the guise of a kidnapping,” police revealed.
Both suspects are currently in SCID custody in Minna and will be charged in court alongside others earlier arrested.
Source:https://energynewsafrica.com
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