- Police arrested 13 additional suspects, including two Mainstream Energy Solutions staff, for stealing metals and batteries worth ₦4.8bn from the Kainji Power Plant.
- The latest arrests increase the number of suspects in connection with the ₦4.8bn Kainji power plant theft to twenty-five.
The Niger State Police Command has arrested thirteen additional suspects involved in the theft and vandalisation of navigation lock metals and beams valued at ₦4.8bn at the Kainji power plant. The police spokesman, Wasiu Abiodun, announced the arrests in a statement on Wednesday, October 8, and confirmed that all the suspects remain in custody while assisting with the ongoing investigation.
Operatives of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Minna carried out the arrests on September 26, 2025, after launching a follow-up investigation into the case transferred to the department on August 12, 2025. The investigation uncovered that two employees of Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited (MSEL), identified as Abubakar Jibril, a 51-year-old storekeeper from Borgu Local Government Area, and Abdullateef Musa, a 53-year-old business risk and internal control officer from Kwara State, conspired to steal one hundred new 40-amp batteries from the company’s store. They hid the stolen batteries among items meant for auction, sold them secretly, and shared the proceeds.
The police further discovered that several other individuals participated in the crime. Security personnel, including Aliyu Salihu, Ishaq Suleiman Adam, Nasko Timothy Joseph, and Abdulmalik Jimmy Gudah, allegedly assisted in disposing of the stolen materials and collected a portion of the proceeds. Two cleaners employed by MSEL, Joseph Steven and Babangida Abdullahi, also joined in stealing and selling some of the vandalised metals. Additionally, the police arrested Labaran Haruna, Haruna Usman, Shuaibu Hassan, Musa Salihu, and Sabon Mati, who played various roles in the criminal operation.
Abiodun explained that investigators continue interrogating the suspects to uncover more details about their accomplices and collaborators. He added that the police aim to recover as many stolen items as possible and will prosecute all the suspects once the investigation concludes.
The latest arrests increase the number of suspects in connection with the ₦4.8bn Kainji power plant theft to twenty-five, following the earlier arrest of twelve individuals linked to the case. The police continue strengthening efforts to ensure justice and recover public assets stolen from the power plant.