13 More Suspects Arrested Over N4.8bn Kainji Power Plant Theft
Thirteen more suspects have been arrested in connection with the theft of navigation lock metals and beams valued at N4.8bn.
Two of the suspects, Abubakar Jibril, 51 years old, of Borgu LGA, a storekeeper, and Abdullateef Musa, 53 years of Kwara (business risk/internal control officer), were employees of Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited in charge of the store.
Both of them were said to have conspired and stolen 100 new 40 amps batteries from the company’s store, hiding them amidst items to be auctioned and later sold them. Both suspects shared the proceeds of the theft.
The spokesman for the Niger State Police Command, Wasiu Abiodun, made this known on Wednesday in a statement in which he said all the suspects were in police custody, helping with the investigation.
“In a follow-up investigation to the case of Kainji power plant, earlier transferred to the SCID Minna on August 12, 2025, 13 additional suspects were arrested in connection with the vandalisation and theft of navigation lock metals and beams valued at over N4.8bn in the navigation lock yard of the power plant.
“These additional suspects were arrested on September 26, 2025, by operatives of the SCID Minna. An investigation revealed that two of these suspects are staff members of Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited in charge of the store, who are: Abubakar Jibril, 51 years of Borgu LGA (storekeeper), and Abdullateef Musa, 53 years of Kwara (business risk/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.”
Furthermore, he said, “The following other suspects: Aliyu Salihu aka Cixxe, 42 years of Borgu LGA, residing in N/Bussa, Ishaq Suleiman Adam, 35 years of Magama LGA, residing in Anfani, Nasko Timothy Joseph, 32 years of Kaduna State, residing in N/Bussa, Abdulmalik Jimmy Gudah, 33 years of Zaria, Kaduna State, residing in Kainji.
“They were the security men on duty who aided in disposing of the stolen items and afterwards benefited from the proceeds of the crime.
“The two suspects below: Joseph Steven, 36 years of Otukpo LGA, Benue State, residing in N/Bussa, Babangida Abdullahi, 42 years of Borgu LGA, residing in N/Bussa. They are both cleaners in MSEL, also involved in stealing and selling some of the vandalised metals.
“Other suspects arrested include Labaran Haruna, 20 years of Borgu LGA, residing in N/Bussa, Haruna Usman, 40 years of Lavun LGA, residing in Borgu, Shuaibu Hassan, 48 years of Kano State, residing in Sabon-Pegi, Mashegu LGA, Musa Salihu, 24 years of Kano State, residing in Sabon-Pegi, Mashegu LGA, Sabon Mati, 47 years of Niger Republic, residing in Sabon-Pegi, Mashegu LGA.
“The suspects are in custody, undergoing further interrogation to aid the investigation and the arrest of their accomplices, collaborators, and possible recovery of some of the items, after which they will be prosecuted accordingly,” Abiodun stated.
Twelve suspects had earlier been arrested in connection with the vandalisation and theft of the Kainji power plant items valued at N4.8bn.