Vandals overpower guards, steal ₦1.8 transformer cable in Jigawa school

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Suspected vandals overpowered security guards and stole 12 metres of armoured cable from a transformer at Government Unity School, Ringim, in Jigawa State, throwing the school into darkness.

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The incident is the latest in a series of attacks on critical assets in Jigawa, coming weeks after streetlight cables worth over ₦1.8 million were recovered in Hadejia following a tip-off.

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Confirming the latest incident in a statement made available to The PUNCH on Friday night, the Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Jigawa State Command, ASC Badruddeen Tijjani, said the attack occurred at about 2 a.m. on Thursday, July 30, 2026, when more than 10 suspected vandals invaded Government Unity School, Ringim, overpowered three security guards on duty and vandalised 12 metres of 75mm² armoured cable connected to the school’s transformer.

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Tijjani said, “More than 10 suspected vandals invaded the school, overpowered the security guards on duty and vandalised 12 metres of 75mm² armoured cable connected to the transformer before fleeing.”

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He said the stolen cable is estimated to be worth between ₦900,000 and ₦1.05 million.

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“Preliminary investigations showed the suspects attacked three guards deployed at different points within the school before carrying out the act,” Tijjani added.

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According to him, personnel of the NSCDC Ringim Divisional Office responded swiftly after receiving a distress call from the school.

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The spokesperson said exhibits and other evidence were recovered at the scene to aid the investigation and facilitate the tracking of the suspects.

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Reacting, the Jigawa State Commandant of the NSCDC, CC Muhammad Ingawa, condemned the attack.

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“The Commandant described it as a criminal assault on critical national assets and infrastructure,” Tijjani quoted him as saying.

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Ingawa directed that an intensive manhunt be launched to identify and arrest all those involved.

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“All persons connected with the crime will be arrested and prosecuted before a court of competent jurisdiction,” the commandant assured, according to Tijjani.

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He also urged guards and other security personnel attached to schools and public institutions to remain vigilant.

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**Moreover**, the NSCDC spokesperson advised residents to report any suspicious activity to the nearest NSCDC office or other security agencies.

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“Security personnel must remain vigilant and immediately alert security agencies whenever they observe suspicious movements or gatherings,” Tijjani quoted the commandant as saying.

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The commandant appealed to residents to support the corps with credible information.

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“Members of the public should provide timely information that will assist security agencies in preventing and combating vandalism,” Tijjani said.

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He reaffirmed the corps’ commitment to protecting government property across the state’s 27 local government areas.

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“The NSCDC remains unwavering in its mandate to protect critical national assets and infrastructure in Jigawa State,” the spokesperson said.

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