NSCDC arrests nine suspects over alleged vandalism and theft of roofing sheets from Tsageru Primary School in Zamfara, with damage estimated at N4.5m.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Zamfara State Command, has arrested nine people in connection with the alleged vandalism and theft of roofing materials from Tsageru Primary School in Tsafe Local Government Area of the state.
The suspects are being investigated for alleged criminal conspiracy, vandalism, mischief and theft following the removal of roofing materials from parts of the public primary school.
The NSCDC disclosed the development on Monday when the suspects were paraded at the command’s headquarters in Zamfara State.
Speaking with journalists, the command’s Head of Public Relations, ASCI Umar Mohammad, said the investigation was initiated after authorities received a formal complaint from the Educational Secretary of Tsafe Local Government Area, Abdulrahman Aliyu.
According to Mohammad, the complaint was submitted through the Divisional Corps Office, prompting operatives to commence investigations into the reported damage to the school.
He explained that the first breakthrough came on September 8, 2026, when operatives arrested one of the suspects, Alhaji Haruna Amadu, a resident of Tsageru village.
Amadu was reportedly taken into custody at about 3:02 p.m., after which information gathered during the investigation allegedly helped security personnel identify other individuals suspected of being involved in the incident.
Eight additional suspects were subsequently arrested, bringing the total number of people in custody to nine.
Those named by the NSCDC are Haruna Amadu, Aliyu Aliyu, Isah Umar, Hassan Shehu, Garba Ibrahim, Ibrahim Lawali, Abdullahi Usman, Abubakar Ibrahim and Alhaji Abubakar Aliyu.
Mohammad said the command’s preliminary findings indicated that the alleged vandalism took place between September 5 and September 8, the day Amadu was arrested.
Investigators are looking into allegations that the suspects acted together to remove roofing materials installed on the school building.
The NSCDC spokesman further alleged that the suspects attempted to obtain the support of traditional authorities in the area before proceeding with their plan.
However, the alleged effort did not succeed.
Mohammad identified the District Head, Sarkin Gabas Aliyu, and the Village Head, Magaji Kabiru Salisu, as the traditional rulers who reportedly rejected the request and advised the suspects not to proceed with the alleged vandalism.
The refusal by the traditional leaders, according to the NSCDC, did not stop the suspects from allegedly carrying out the removal of the roofing materials.
The command also said the materials were taken without the knowledge or approval of the Zamfara State Universal Basic Education Board (ZSUBEB), the agency responsible for basic education infrastructure in the state.
Mohammad said the suspects had allegedly admitted during preliminary questioning that they were involved in the incident.
However, he stressed that investigations were still in progress and that further inquiries would be conducted to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged offence and determine the level of involvement of each suspect.
One of the key issues investigators are examining is the alleged reason behind the removal of the roofing materials.
According to the NSCDC, preliminary findings suggest that the suspects allegedly planned to either sell the materials or convert them into cash for another purpose.
Mohammad said the proceeds were allegedly intended to help the suspects pay levies required to secure access to farmlands during the current cultivation season.
The allegation means that investigators are not only examining the physical destruction of the school property but are also trying to establish how the stolen materials were allegedly intended to be disposed of and whether other individuals may have been involved.
The incident reportedly affected three classrooms at Tsageru Primary School, with the financial value of the damage estimated at N4.5 million.
The development has raised concerns over the vulnerability of public educational infrastructure, particularly facilities that are expected to serve pupils and communities for several years.
Roofing materials form an important part of school infrastructure, especially in communities where schools depend heavily on government intervention and public funding for construction and rehabilitation.
The NSCDC said the incident would not be treated lightly, stressing that vandalism of public property has consequences beyond the immediate financial cost.
Mohammad reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting government facilities and other public assets from criminal activities.
He said the NSCDC would continue to work to prevent vandalism, theft and related offences capable of damaging infrastructure or affecting the socio-economic development of Zamfara State.
The command also appealed for cooperation from members of the public, particularly communities where government facilities are located, to help security agencies detect and prevent attempts to destroy or steal public property.
Mohammad maintained that the nine suspects would undergo further investigation, after which anyone found culpable would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The arrest is therefore expected to be followed by additional investigative steps as the NSCDC seeks to establish the full circumstances surrounding the alleged vandalism, identify any other persons who may have participated in the offence and determine how the removed roofing materials were handled.
For now, the suspects remain allegations subjects of investigation, and their eventual legal status will depend on the outcome of the investigation and any subsequent court proceedings.
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