The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Jigawa State Command, has foiled an attempt to vandalise a transformer in Gumel Local Government Area, arresting one suspect while two others escaped.

The incident occurred at about 4:20 a.m. on Monday, September 21, at Dantanoma Quarters, following a distress call from a resident who alerted NSCDC personnel to suspected vandals operating around the transformer installation.

The NSCDC Public Relations Officer in Jigawa, ASC Badaruddeen Tijjani, said the targeted installation belonged to the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO).

He said the Gumel Divisional Officer, CSC Bashir Ya’u, mobilised personnel from the division and the Anti-Vandalism Squad to the location, where they encountered the suspects allegedly attempting to gain access to the transformer.

Tijjani identified the arrested suspect as 21-year-old Mubarak Adamu, while two other suspects escaped and were being pursued by the corps.

He said preliminary investigation showed that the suspects had used a cutlass to cut and dismantle the protective wire fence around the transformer.

Three armoured cables measuring approximately 15 metres, with an estimated value of ₦2 million, were recovered from the scene.

Tijjani said the arrested suspect provided information about other individuals allegedly connected with the vandalism during interrogation.

He identified Musa and Binya as alleged accomplices who remained at large, while Umar Fagge Babban Layi was allegedly identified as a receiver and buyer of vandalised cables.

The suspect also reportedly disclosed his involvement with another individual, Yusuf Asake, who is currently in custody, in previous acts of vandalism.

The NSCDC said further information indicated that members of the group might have been involved in the vandalism of metal materials at the Government Technical School, Gumel, as well as a transformer at Dan Modi Housing Estate in the area.

The State Commandant, CC Kabiru Ingawa, commended the resident whose timely information contributed to the operation.

He reiterated the corps’ commitment to protecting critical national infrastructure, particularly electricity installations, and urged residents to provide timely and credible information about suspicious activities.

The NSCDC said efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects, adding that all suspects would be prosecuted after investigations were concluded.