SAA event in Nigeria on Sun 17th May 2026

Troops Bust Cable Theft Syndicate in Abuja, One Suspect Killed During Arrest 

By: Zagazola Makama 

Troops of 7 Guards Battalion have dismantled a suspected cable theft syndicate operating within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), arresting several suspects linked to the theft and sale of government armoured cables and streetlight components.

Security sources said the operation began at about 10:20 a.m. on May 16, 2026, after troops sighted three suspected cable thieves along the Kubwa Express Road in Bwari Area Council.

According to the sources, troops moved to intercept the suspects, during which one of them allegedly attempted to disarm a soldier and was subsequently neutralised.

The remaining suspects were apprehended at the scene.

Preliminary investigation reportedly revealed that the suspects specialised in stealing government armoured cables and streetlight infrastructure for sale to buyers operating at the Mpape Pantaker Market.

Following the disclosure, troops, in collaboration with personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, conducted a follow-up operation at the market and arrested six suspected buyers linked to the syndicate.

The arrested suspects, recovered items and the corpse of the neutralised suspect were handed over to the Nigeria Police Force for further investigation and prosecution.

Security authorities said the operation formed part of efforts to combat vandalism of public infrastructure and other criminal activities within the FCT.