NSCDC Arrests Two Suspects Over Telecom Equipment Vandalism in Cross River

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested two suspects allegedly linked to the vandalism and illegal disposal of telecommunications infrastructure in Cross River State.

The suspects, identified as a 23-year-old alleged telecom vandal and a 24-year-old scrap metal dealer, were arrested following an intelligence-led operation targeting a suspected syndicate operating around the Odukpani axis of the state.

The NSCDC Cross River Command disclosed this in a statement issued in Calabar on Thursday by its spokesperson, Orok Kinini-Iyeme.

According to the statement, the investigation began with the arrest of the 23-year-old principal suspect on July 15, 2026, while allegedly attempting to vandalise an ATC Base Transceiver Station (BTS) facility at Odukpani Junction.

Kinini-Iyeme said preliminary interrogation of the suspect allegedly revealed that he had been stripping telecommunications sites and selling the stolen components to a local scrap dealer.

Acting on the information, the State Commandant, Okarazu Chima, reportedly ordered the immediate deployment of a joint team comprising operatives from the Intelligence Department, CNAI and personnel of the Odukpani Divisional Command.

The team subsequently tracked the alleged receiver of the stolen equipment to his enclave around the Odukpani Flyover Bridge, where he was arrested on July 18.

A search of the premises reportedly led to the recovery of a large black metal radio mounting frame measuring approximately 4ft 2 inches by 4ft 11 inches, which the NSCDC said had been identified as a component removed from the vandalised ATC facility.

The command said the 24-year-old suspect admitted purchasing the telecom components from the principal suspect on two occasions but claimed he was unaware that the items had been stolen.

The NSCDC said investigators were analysing statements obtained from both suspects as the probe continues.

The command has also launched a tactical manhunt for other suspected members of the syndicate, including another alleged receiver and the suspected financier of the operation.

The latest arrests highlight the growing security concerns surrounding the vandalism of telecommunications infrastructure, which can disrupt network services and impose significant costs on operators while affecting millions of subscribers.

The NSCDC said efforts were ongoing to dismantle the suspected network and bring all those linked to the alleged vandalism before the law.