By Ariyo Kanyinsola
The Niger State Police Command has arrested 14 suspects in two separate high-profile cases — a massive theft and vandalism at the Kainji Power Plant valued at over ₦4.8 billion, and a staged kidnapping aimed at extorting ₦7 million ransom.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said investigations began after a complaint by Mainstream Energy Solutions Ltd, operators of the Kainji Power Plant, on August 11, 2025.
Police discovered that navigation lock metals and beams worth billions of naira had been vandalised and stolen from the plant. Initial arrests led to the detention of two supervisors, Shaibu Abu Sufyan (35) and Ibrahim Musa (31), who denied involvement but were later implicated.
Abu Sufyan confessed and named ten security operatives under his watch as accomplices: Zayyanu Musa, Jibrin Abdullahi, Hassan Musa, Micah Adamu, Attahiru Umar, Abdulrahman Usman, Ismaila Ibrahim, Mubarak Husseini, Adamu Abubakar, and Abdullahi Abubakar (aka Zuma).
Further investigations revealed the group’s collaboration with scrap dealers — Musa Khalid, Abah Khalid, and Abdullahi — based in Nasarawa village, Mashegu LGA. The dealers allegedly deployed heavy equipment, including acetylene gas, to dismantle and cut the metals into transportable sizes, which were moved in trucks at night and during weekends.
According to police, the criminal operations had been ongoing since 2023. Financial trails showed ₦12.5 million in transactions between Abu Sufyan and one of the dealers, while ₦11.5 million was traced to Ibrahim Musa. The stolen materials were reportedly sold to companies in Lagos, Kwara, and Osun states. Efforts are underway to apprehend the dealers and other accomplices.
In a related development, the Defence Headquarters confirmed the arrest of four security personnel accused of aiding terrorist activities in the North-East.
The suspects, including two members of the hybrid forces working alongside the military, were apprehended during operations conducted between April 26 and 29 across Bama, Kukawa, and Madagali LGAs, according to the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Markus Kangye. They were among four logistics suppliers arrested by troops during the raids.
Meanwhile, the Niger State Police Command uncovered a staged kidnapping in Minna involving two young men who conspired to extort their colleagues under the guise of abduction.
The case, initially reported on September 2, 2025, to the Tudun-Wada Division, 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, both in Minna. The group was linked to fraudulent internet activities operated under the guise of a network marketing scheme called Quest Int’l Company.
With the aid of technical intelligence, police later arrested the supposed victim, Ahmed Alh. Bura (21) of Bauchi State, and his alleged abductor, Shafiu Ibrahim (22) of Makujeri, on September 17, 2025.
Investigations revealed that both men attended a car drifting event in Minna before disappearing and demanding a ₦7 million ransom from their colleagues. They are currently in SCID custody in Minna and will be charged to court alongside other suspects.
