By Solomon Azu
In a swift demonstration of its zero-tolerance policy against the sabotage of Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII), the Cross River State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has successfully dismantled a syndicate that specialises in the vandalization and trafficking of telecommunication mast components.
A statement by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Orok Kinini- Iyeme made available to journalists in Calabar Wednesday, said following an intense, intelligence-led operation, operatives of the Command arrested a 24-year-old scrap metal buyer, Abdulraman Suleiman alias Fulani, who serves as the primary receiver for stolen ATC Base Transceiver Station (BTS) equipment in the Odukpani axis.
She said the breakthrough follows the earlier arrest of the principal suspect, 23-year-old Bassey Bassey Inyang, who was apprehended on July 15, 2026, for the attempted vandalism of an ATC BTS Facility (Site No. 630363 – CRO 165) at Odukpani Junction.
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According to her, during preliminary interrogations, the principal suspect confessed to actively stripping the telecom site and selling the stolen components to a local scrap dealer. Acting swiftly on this intelligence, the State Commandant, CC Okarazu Chima, directed the immediate deployment of a joint team comprising the Intelligence Department, CNAI operatives, and the Odukpani Divisional personnel.
She said on July 18, 2026, the operatives successfully tracked and raided the receiver’s enclave at the Odukpani Flyover, leading to his immediate arrest.
The PRO said during a thorough search of the receiver’s premises, operatives recovered a massive black metal radio mounting frame (measuring approximately 4ft 2inches by 4ft 11inches), which was explicitly identified as the stolen ATC facility component.
The statement said while the receiver admitted to purchasing the items from the principal suspect on two separate occasions, he claimed ignorance of their origin, a defense the Command explicitly rejects.
She said the Command is currently analyzing statements from both suspects and has launched a massive tactical manhunt for fleeing members of the syndicate, including another receiver identified as Mr. Abdul alias Jadawa and the syndicate’s primary financier, Mr. Saleh.
Reacting to the arrest, the State Commandant, Okarazu Chima said the arrests were part of ongoing efforts to protect critical national assets and curb economic sabotage.
He noted that ATC BTS Facility remained critical national assets that support communication services, business operations and national development.
The State Commandant reminded members of the public that wilful destruction, tampering with or unauthorised interference with telecommunications infrastructure is punishable under relevant laws, including the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.
He reiterated that the Command will no longer tolerate the existence of illicit markets for vandalized national assets within Cross River State.
“The arrest of this receiver confirms what we have always known: vandals only operate because there is a ready, illicit market waiting to buy these stolen goods,” Commandant Okarazu declared.
“Let this serve as a final warning to all scrap metal dealers and scavengers in Cross River State. Ignorance is not an excuse under the law. If you are caught buying telecom batteries, cables, or mounting frames without verifiable, authorized sources, you will be treated as an economic saboteur and a financier of vandalism. We are coming for your network.”
He reiterated the command’s commitment to protecting critical national assets and infrastructure across the state.
“The NSCDC command in Cross River State remains committed to the protection of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure across the state.
“We will continue to intensify surveillance, sensitization and enforcement actions against all forms of vandalism and economic sabotage,” he said.
Okarazu urged residents to remain vigilant and to provide timely, credible information to security agencies to support efforts to safeguard essential national infrastructure.
He assured the public that anyone found culpable of sabotaging critical infrastructure would face the full wrath of the law.
The State Commandant said that the suspects who have been remanded in custody at the State Command Headquarters will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations adding that the management of ATC has been officially contacted for the valuation of the recovered items.
