Just in: Benue NSCDC Parades Suspects Over Alleged Economic Sabotage

By Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Benue State Command, has paraded five suspects arrested over alleged criminal conspiracy and unlawful possession of vandalized public utility materials.

The suspects, identified as Gbenda Nyiter, Tersoo Bawa, Hanmakwagh James, Jeremiah Uker and Moses Ikyobo, were arrested between June 29 and July 3, 2026, during separate operations carried out by NSCDC operatives in Tse-Ivue and Tse-Dei communities of Guma Local Government Area, as well as around the Lafia Junction area of North Bank, Makurdi.
The Command said the arrests followed credible intelligence on the activities of a syndicate allegedly involved in vandalizing and trading in critical public infrastructure.
Recovered from the suspects were about 350 metres of aluminium conductors believed to have been cut from electricity transmission lines, alongside two unregistered yellow tricycles allegedly used to convey the materials.
According to the NSCDC, one of the suspects, Tersoo Bawa, confessed to the offence during interrogation, while two others claimed they were commercial tricycle operators working within Makurdi metropolis.
Preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects allegedly conspired to vandalize electricity installations in Tse-Dei and Tse-Ivue communities, disrupting power supply and causing significant economic losses.
While parading the suspects, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Superintendent of Corps Michael Ejelikwu, reaffirmed the NSCDC’s commitment to protecting critical national assets and infrastructure.
He stated that the State Commandant, CC Bitrus Larai, had intensified efforts to ensure that individuals involved in acts of economic sabotage are arrested and prosecuted.
“Vandalism is a serious crime and a form of economic sabotage. Anyone found culpable will face the full weight of the law. The NSCDC remains committed to safeguarding critical national assets and infrastructure across the state,” Ejelikwu said.
He commended members of the public for providing useful intelligence that led to the arrests and urged communities to remain vigilant by supporting security agencies with timely information.
The Command also cautioned scrap dealers and buyers against purchasing suspected vandalized materials, stressing that anyone found in possession of such items would be treated as an accomplice under Section 3(6) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act.
Ejelikwu disclosed that investigations were ongoing to apprehend other members of the syndicate still at large, adding that the five suspects would be charged to court after investigations are concluded.
He appealed to residents of Benue State to report suspicious activities around public infrastructure to the nearest NSCDC office or through the Command’s emergency lines: 09022991199, 08036138130 and 07035830209.