By Tunji Braimoh, Abuja

The Cross River State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has intensified its crackdown on the vandalism of critical national infrastructure with the arrest of a suspected scrap dealer accused of receiving and trading in stolen telecommunications equipment. The operation, driven by intelligence gathered from an ongoing investigation, has also triggered a manhunt for other members of the criminal network, including alleged financiers and receivers of vandalised assets.

The latest breakthrough followed a coordinated operation by NSCDC operatives targeting a syndicate involved in the theft and illegal sale of components belonging to telecommunication facilities in parts of Cross River State.

According to the command, the suspect, identified as 24-year-old Abdulraman Suleiman, popularly known as “Fulani,” was arrested for allegedly serving as a major receiver of stolen equipment removed from telecommunications installations in the Odukpani area.

His arrest came days after NSCDC operatives apprehended the principal suspect, 23-year-old Bassey Bassey Inyang, who was arrested on July 15, 2026, for allegedly attempting to vandalise an ATC Base Transceiver Station facility located at Odukpani Junction.

Investigators disclosed that during interrogation, Inyang allegedly confessed to stripping components from the telecom facility and selling them to local scrap dealers operating within the area.

Acting on the intelligence obtained from the suspect, the State Commandant of the NSCDC, Commandant Okarazu Chima, ordered the immediate deployment of a joint team comprising officers from the Intelligence Department, the Critical National Assets and Infrastructure Unit and personnel from the Odukpani Division.

The operation culminated in a raid on a suspected hideout beneath the Odukpani Flyover on July 18, where Suleiman was arrested.

During a search of the premises, operatives recovered a large black metal radio mounting frame measuring approximately four feet by five feet, which investigators identified as property allegedly removed from the affected ATC telecommunications facility.

The command said preliminary findings indicate that the recovered item formed part of the infrastructure vandalised at the telecom site.

Although the suspect admitted purchasing the equipment from the principal suspect on two separate occasions, he reportedly claimed that he was unaware the items were stolen.

However, the NSCDC said such a defence would not absolve any individual found to be dealing in suspicious or unauthorised materials linked to critical national infrastructure.

Investigators are currently analysing statements obtained from both suspects as efforts continue to uncover the full extent of the criminal network.

The command has also launched a search for other suspects believed to be connected to the syndicate, including an alleged receiver identified as Abdul, said to be operating in Jadawa, and a suspected financier identified as Saleh.

Speaking on the development, Commandant Okarazu Chima said the arrest highlights the crucial role played by illegal markets in sustaining acts of vandalism and economic sabotage.

He warned scrap metal dealers, scavengers and other buyers of industrial materials to ensure that all transactions are conducted through legitimate and verifiable channels.

According to him, individuals found purchasing telecommunications batteries, cables, mounting frames and other infrastructure components without proper documentation risk prosecution for aiding and financing criminal activities.

The commandant reaffirmed the NSCDC’s commitment to protecting Critical National Information Infrastructure and other strategic national assets from criminal elements.

Both suspects remain in custody at the NSCDC State Command Headquarters in Calabar, while investigations continue. The command said they would be charged to court upon the conclusion of the investigation.

Meanwhile, the management of ATC has been contacted to assess and determine the value of the recovered infrastructure as part of efforts to establish the full extent of the losses incurred during the vandalism incident.