NSCDC arrests nine over school vandalism in Zamfara

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By Idris Salisu, Gusau

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GUSAU — The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Zamfara State Command, has arrested nine suspects over alleged criminal conspiracy, vandalism, mischief and theft of roofing sheets from Tsageru Primary School in Tsafe Local Government Area of the state.

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The suspects were paraded at the command’s headquarters on Monday by the Head of Public Relations, ASCI Umar Mohammad.

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Mohammad said the suspects had allegedly confessed to their involvement in the offences, adding that investigations were ongoing.

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He said the arrests followed a complaint by the Educational Secretary of Tsafe LGA, Abdulrahman Aliyu, which was lodged through the Divisional Corps Office.

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According to him, one of the suspects, Alhaji Haruna Amadu of Tsageru village, was arrested on September 8, 2026, at about 3:02pm.

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He said Amadu’s arrest led to the identification and subsequent apprehension of eight other persons allegedly linked to the vandalism.

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The suspects were identified as Haruna Amadu, Aliyu Aliyu, Isah Umar, Hassan Shehu, Garba Ibrahim, Ibrahim Lawali, Abdullahi Usman, Abubakar Ibrahim and Alhaji Abubakar Aliyu.

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Mohammad said preliminary investigations indicated that the alleged vandalism occurred between September 5 and the date of Amadu’s arrest.

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He said the suspects allegedly conspired to remove roofing materials from the school and attempted to bribe traditional rulers to facilitate the act.

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According to him, the District Head, Sarkin Gabas Aliyu, and the Village Head, Magaji Kabiru Salisu, rejected the alleged attempt and advised the suspects against proceeding with the act.

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Mohammad said the suspects also allegedly admitted that the vandalism was carried out without the knowledge of the Zamfara State Universal Basic Education Board (ZSUBEB).

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He added that the suspects allegedly intended to sell or use the proceeds from the roofing materials to pay levies that would enable them gain access to farmlands during the cultivation season.

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The NSCDC spokesman said the damage to the school involved three classrooms and was estimated at N4.5 million.

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Mohammad said the command remained committed to preventing vandalism, theft and other acts capable of undermining public infrastructure and the socio-economic development of the state.

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He added that the suspects would be subjected to further investigation and dealt with in accordance with the law.

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