The Niger State Police Command has dismantled a sophisticated criminal network behind the theft and vandalism of critical infrastructure worth over ₦4.8 billion at the Kainji Power Plant, arresting 12 suspects, including security personnel and scrap dealers. The command also foiled a staged kidnapping orchestrated to extort ₦7 million from unsuspecting victims.
The arrests were announced in a statement issued on Wednesday by the state police spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun, detailing two major breakthroughs achieved by the command in August and September 2025. According to the statement, the first case began on August 11, 2025, following a formal complaint by Mainstream Energy Solutions Ltd, operators of the Kainji Power Plant. The company reported large-scale vandalism and theft of navigation lock metals and structural beams at the plant’s lock yard — materials valued at over ₦4.8 billion.
Investigations led to the arrest of two supervisors, Shaibu Abu Sufyan (35) and Ibrahim Musa (31), who initially denied involvement. However, Abu Sufyan later confessed and implicated 10 other security personnel under his supervision. They were identified as Zayyanu Musa, Jibrin Abdullahi, Hassan Musa, Micah Adamu, Attahiru Umar, Abdulrahman Usman, Ismaila Ibrahim, Mubarak Husseini, Adamu Abubakar, and Abdullahi Abubakar (aka Zuma).
Police investigations revealed that the group conspired with three scrap dealers — Musa Khalid, Abah Khalid, and Abdullahi — based in Nasarawa village, Mashegu LGA. The dealers allegedly mobilised heavy-duty equipment and acetylene gas to cut and dismantle the metals into transportable pieces, which were then loaded onto trucks and moved at night on weekends to avoid detection.
“These criminal activities have been ongoing since 2023,” SP Abiodun said. “So far, ₦12.5 million transactions were traced between Abu Sufyan and one of the dealers, while ₦11.5 million was linked to Ibrahim Musa. The stolen materials were sold to companies in Lagos, Kwara, and Osun states.” Police say efforts are ongoing to arrest the scrap dealers and other accomplices still at large.
The latest incident adds to a string of security breaches involving insiders at critical national infrastructure. On May 3, 2025, the Defence Headquarters confirmed the arrest of four security personnel aiding terrorist operations in the North-East, including two hybrid force members deployed to support anti-insurgency operations.
In a separate operation, Niger State police uncovered a fake kidnapping scheme designed to extort money under false pretenses. The incident was first reported as a kidnapping case to the Tudun-Wada Division on September 2, 2025, prompting police to launch an investigation. Authorities later arrested nine suspects and seized 21 SIM cards from Suleiman Dauda of Mandela area and Salisu Dauda of Sahuka Kahuta, Minna.
Further investigations revealed that the suspects were engaged in fraudulent online activities under a network marketing front called “Quest Int’l Company.” Using technical intelligence, police tracked and arrested the supposed kidnap victim, Ahmed Alh. Bura (21) of Bauchi State, alongside his alleged abductor, Shafiu Ibrahim (22) of Makujeri, on September 17, 2025.
“Findings indicated that both suspects attended a car drifting event at Mandela area and conspired to disappear afterwards. They then demanded a ransom of ₦7 million from their colleagues under the guise of a kidnapping,” the police spokesperson revealed.
Both men are currently being held at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Minna and will be charged alongside other suspects once investigations are concluded. The Niger State Police Command reiterated its commitment to combating organised crime, insider threats, and fraudulent activities in the state. Authorities also urged companies and citizens to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities promptly to prevent future incidents.
