Niger State police arrested 14 suspects over a ₦4.8bn Kainji Power Plant theft and a staged ₦7m kidnap involving security staff, scrap dealers, and fraudsters.
The Niger State Police Command has arrested 14 suspects in connection with two major crimes—a ₦4.8 billion theft and vandalism at the Kainji Power Plant, and a staged kidnap aimed at extorting ₦7 million.
Police spokesperson SP Wasiu Abiodun, in a statement on Wednesday, said investigations began after Mainstream Energy Solutions Ltd reported missing metals on August 11, 2025.
Two supervisors, Shaibu Abu Sufyan and Ibrahim Musa, were arrested and later linked ten other security personnel to the theft.
Police also traced ₦24 million in transactions to scrap dealers who allegedly dismantled and sold the stolen items to companies across Lagos, Kwara, and Osun States.
In a separate case, police uncovered a fake kidnapping on September 2 involving nine suspects tied to a fraudulent network scheme.
The supposed victim, Ahmed Alh. Bura, and his associate, Shafiu Ibrahim, were arrested after demanding ₦7 million ransom from colleagues. Both are in custody pending prosecution.