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The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested nine suspects over the vandalism and theft of roofing zinc from Tsageru Primary School in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
The NSCDC Zamfara Command’s Head of Public Relations, ASC Umar Muhammad, disclosed this at a news briefing in Gusau on Monday.
Muhammad said the investigation began after the Education Secretary of Tsafe Local Government Area, Abdulrahman Aliyu, reported the incident.
He said NSCDC operatives acting on the report arrested 55-year-old Alhaji Haruna Amadu of Tsageru village on September 8 at about 3:02 p.m.
According to Muhammad, Amadu subsequently identified eight other suspects allegedly involved in the vandalism.
Preliminary investigations, he said, indicated that the suspects conspired between September 5 and 8 to remove roofing zinc from three classrooms at the school.
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.
“Acting on the report, operatives on Sept. 8, at about 3:02 p.m. apprehended one Alhaji Haruna Amadu, 55, of Tsageru village. The suspect named eight other accomplices involved in the crime.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that between Sept. 5 and 8, the suspects conspired to remove roofing zinc from three classrooms of the school.
“The arrested suspects are: Alhaji Haruna Amadu of Tsageru, 55; 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,” he said.
Muhammad said the nine suspects confessed to the crime and admitted attempting to bribe the District Head, Sarkin Gabas Aliyu, and the Village Head, Magaji Kabiru Salisu.
He said the traditional rulers rejected the bribe and warned the suspects against the act.
The NSCDC spokesperson added that the suspects admitted carrying out the alleged vandalism without the approval of the Zamfara Universal Basic Education Board.
According to him, the suspects said they planned to sell the roofing zinc to raise money to pay levies required for access to farmlands during the cultivation season.
The command estimated the damage to the three classrooms at N4.5 million.
He added that the nine suspects arrested over the school vandalism would be arraigned before a competent court for prosecution.
The NSCDC said it maintained a zero-tolerance approach to criminality and economic sabotage and would continue efforts to protect public infrastructure in Zamfara State.
