NIGER POLICE BUST N4.8BN KAINJI POWER PLANT THEFT, FOIL STAGED N7M KIDNAP SCAM

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

The Niger State Police Command has arrested 14 suspects in connection with two major cases a N4.8 billion theft and vandalism at the Kainji Power Plant and a staged kidnapping aimed at extorting N7 million.

Police spokesperson SP Wasiu Abiodun, in a statement on Wednesday, said the theft case began on August 11, 2025, when Mainstream Energy Solutions Ltd reported large-scale vandalism at the Kainji Power Plant.

Investigations revealed that navigation lock metals and beams worth billions of naira had been carted away in a long-running conspiracy involving plant security staff and scrap dealers. Two supervisors, Shaibu Abu Sufyan (35) and Ibrahim Musa (31), were arrested, and Abu Sufyan later confessed, implicating 10 other security personnel.

Police disclosed that the suspects worked with scrap dealers in Mashegu LGA, who brought in heavy equipment to cut and move the metals at night. Financial trails linked millions of naira in transactions to the suspects, with stolen items reportedly sold to companies in Lagos, Kwara, and Osun States. Efforts are ongoing to arrest the dealers and other collaborators.

In another development, police uncovered a staged kidnapping in Minna involving two young men who faked an abduction to extort money from colleagues. Reported on September 2, 2025, as a kidnap case, operatives arrested nine suspects linked to fraudulent internet activities under a fake network marketing scheme, Quest Int’l Company.

Using technical intelligence, police later tracked down the supposed victim, Ahmed Alh. Bura (21), and his accomplice, Shafiu Ibrahim (22), on September 17. The duo allegedly conspired after a car drifting event to vanish and demand a N7 million ransom from associates.

Both suspects, along with others previously arrested, remain in SCID custody and will be charged in court.