NSCDC Arrests Suspected Cable Vandals, Lithium Battery Thieves, Togolese Army Deserters in Lagos

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Lagos State Command, has arrested several suspected cable vandals, infrastructure thieves and other criminal suspects during separate intelligence-led operations across Lagos State.

The suspects were paraded on Monday at the command’s headquarters on Awolowo Road, Alausa, Ikeja, as the agency reaffirmed its determination to crack down on economic sabotage and the destruction of critical infrastructure.

Speaking during the parade, the command’s Public Relations Officer, SC Oluwaseun Abolurin, said two suspects were arrested on Saturday while allegedly vandalising armoured cables worth millions of naira in the Okun Ajah area of Lagos.

According to Abolurin, the operation was made possible through credible intelligence provided by residents of the community. He explained that Proton Security Limited alerted the NSCDC, prompting operatives to respond swiftly and apprehend the suspects.

He disclosed that two other suspects linked to the cable vandalism escaped during the operation but are currently being tracked by security personnel.

“The two suspects who are at large can only run, but they cannot hide forever,” Abolurin said.

The NSCDC spokesman attributed the success of the operations to sustained collaboration with local communities, traditional rulers, youth groups, market associations and private security organisations across the state.

He also revealed that another suspect was arrested on Friday over the vandalism of transformer cables in the Shogunle area of Oshodi, adding that investigations into the case are ongoing.

In a separate operation, NSCDC operatives arrested suspects accused of stealing eight lithium batteries from Orchid Road, Lekki, on June 15. Abolurin said the suspects were apprehended at about 4:00 p.m. as investigations into the theft progressed.

He assured that all suspects would face prosecution, noting that several cable vandalism cases were already before the courts, including that of a 44-year-old suspect currently standing trial.

The command also announced the arrest of two deserters from the Togolese Army, who will be handed over to the appropriate authorities for further investigation.

Abolurin urged Lagos residents to continue providing timely and credible intelligence to security agencies, stressing that public cooperation remains crucial in protecting critical national assets. He reaffirmed the NSCDC’s commitment to tackling cable vandalism, infrastructure theft and other forms of economic sabotage across the state.