The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Zamfara State has arrested nine suspects over the alleged vandalism of Tsageru Primary School in Tsafe Local Government Area.
The Independent Mirror reports that the suspects were accused of removing and stealing roofing sheets from three classrooms at the school, causing damage estimated at N4.5 million.
The Command’s Head of Public Relations, ASC Umar Muhammad, disclosed this during a press briefing in Gusau on Monday.
According to Muhammad, the investigation began after the Education Secretary of Tsafe Local Government Area, Abdulrahman Aliyu, reported the incident to the NSCDC.
He said operatives arrested the first suspect, 55-year-old Alhaji Haruna Amadu of Tsageru village, on September 8 at about 3:02 p.m.
“Acting on the report, operatives apprehended Alhaji Haruna Amadu, who subsequently named eight other accomplices involved in the crime,” Muhammad said.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly conspired between September 5 and September 8 to remove roofing sheets from three classrooms.
The other suspects were identified as Aliyu Aliyu, 40; Isah Umar, 40; Hassan Shehu, 35; Garba Ibrahim, 60; Ibrahim Lawali, 55; Abdullahi Usman, 35; Abubakar Ibrahim, 45; and Alhaji Abubakar Aliyu, 40.
Muhammad said all nine suspects confessed to their involvement and admitted that they intended to sell the stolen roofing sheets to raise money for levies required to access farmlands during the cultivation season.
The suspects also allegedly confessed to attempting to bribe the District Head, Sarkin Gabas Aliyu, and the Village Head, Magaji Kabiru Salisu.
However, the two traditional rulers rejected the alleged bribe and warned the suspects against the act.
The NSCDC spokesperson added that the suspects admitted carrying out the vandalism without the consent or approval of the Zamfara State Universal Basic Education Board.
Meanwhile, in a separate operation, NSCDC operatives arrested a 58-year-old man, Emmanuel Okonkwo, on September 10 at about 11:30 p.m. at his shop in the Bakin Tasha area of Birnin Magaji Local Government Area.
Okonkwo, who claimed to have operated a chemist shop for more than 20 years, allegedly confessed to dealing in illicit drugs with two accomplices identified as Yellow and Sadiq, who are currently at large.
The NSCDC said 112 wraps of cannabis were recovered from the suspect.
Zamfara State Commandant, CC Sani Mustapha, has directed that the drug suspect be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for further investigation, while the nine suspects accused of vandalising the school will be arraigned before a competent court.
The corps reiterated its zero-tolerance stance against criminality and economic sabotage and pledged to continue protecting public infrastructure across Zamfara State.
