Police Bust ₦4.8bn Kainji Power Plant Theft Ring, Arrest 12 Security Staff in Niger State

Police in Niger State have uncovered a multi-billion-naira theft syndicate operating inside the Kainji Power Plant, one of Nigeria’s key electricity facilities.

Authorities said at least 12 security personnel, including two supervisors, were arrested for allegedly masterminding the theft and sale of critical infrastructure worth over ₦4.8 billion.

The case began on August 11, 2025, when Mainstream Energy Solutions Ltd, operators of the Kainji Power Plant, reported large-scale vandalism at the navigation lock yard. Investigators discovered that heavy metals and beams had been systematically dismantled and stolen.

Two supervisors, Shaibu Abu Sufyan (35) and Ibrahim Musa (31), were initially picked up by police. After interrogation, Abu Sufyan confessed and implicated ten other security officers under his command, including Zayyanu Musa, Jibrin Abdullahi, Hassan Musa, Micah Adamu, Attahiru Umar, Abdulrahman Usman, Ismaila Ibrahim, Mubarak Husseini, Adamu Abubakar, and Abdullahi Abubakar (aka Zuma).

Police said the group worked hand-in-hand with scrap dealers — Musa Khalid, Abah Khalid, and Abdullahi of Nasarawa village in Mashegu LGA. Using acetylene gas and heavy equipment, the dealers allegedly cut the stolen metals into smaller parts and moved them out in trucks at night, usually on weekends.

“These criminal activities have been ongoing since 2023. So far, ₦12.5 million was traced between Abu Sufyan and one dealer, while ₦11.5 million was linked to Ibrahim Musa. The stolen materials were sold to companies in Lagos, Kwara, and Osun States,” police spokesperson SP Wasiu Abiodun confirmed.

The Niger State Police Command added that efforts are ongoing to track down the scrap dealers and other collaborators believed to be connected to the racket.

The revelations come just months after the Defence Headquarters disclosed the arrest of four security operatives aiding terrorist groups in the North-East, sparking renewed concerns about insider collusion at Nigeria’s critical facilities.