POLICE ARREST 13 MORE SUSPECTS OVER N4.8BN THEFT AT KAINJI POWER PLANT

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

Thirteen additional suspects have been arrested in connection with the vandalism and theft of navigation lock metals and beams valued at over ₦4.8 billion from the Kainji power plant in Niger State.

The spokesman for the Niger State Police Command, Wasiu Abiodun, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, confirming that all the suspects are in custody and assisting with ongoing investigations.

According to Abiodun, the latest arrests followed a follow-up operation to an earlier case transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) Minna on August 12, 2025.

Two of the newly arrested suspects, identified as Abubakar Jibril, 51, of Borgu Local Government Area, and Abdullateef Musa, 53, of Kwara State, are staff members of Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited. Jibril worked as a storekeeper, while Musa was a business risk and internal control officer.

“They both conspired and stole 100 new 40-amp batteries from the company’s store, hiding them amidst items to be auctioned, sold them, and shared the proceeds,” Abiodun said.

Other suspects arrested include:

Security personnel: Aliyu Salihu (42), Ishaq Suleiman Adam (35), Nasko Timothy Joseph (32), and Abdulmalik Jimmy Gudah (33), accused of aiding in the disposal of stolen items and benefiting from the proceeds.

Cleaners: Joseph Steven (36) and Babangida Abdullahi (42), both of whom allegedly participated in stealing and selling parts of the vandalized metals.

Others: Labaran Haruna (20), Haruna Usman (40), Shuaibu Hassan (48), Musa Salihu (24), and Sabon Mati (47), reportedly involved in the criminal operation.

Abiodun added that the suspects are undergoing further interrogation to identify accomplices, collaborators, and recover additional stolen items.

Twelve suspects had earlier been arrested in connection with the same case, bringing the total number of arrests to 25.

The police spokesperson assured that the suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.