Niger Police Arrest 14 in Kainji Power Plant Theft, Staged Kidnap Cases

The Niger State Police Command has arrested 14 suspects in connection with two high-profile cases: a ₦4.8 billion theft and vandalism at the Kainji Power Plant, and a staged kidnapping aimed at extorting ₦7 million.

According to a statement by SP Wasiu Abiodun, the first case began with a complaint from Mainstream Energy Solutions Ltd on August 11, 2025. Investigations revealed that two supervisors, Shaibu Abu Sufyan (35) and Ibrahim Musa (31), were involved in stealing metals and beams from the plant. Abu Sufyan later confessed and implicated ten other security personnel under his supervision.

The suspects allegedly collaborated with scrap dealers in Mashegu LGA, mobilising heavy equipment to dismantle metals, which were then sold to companies in Lagos, Kwara, and Osun States. Transactions linked to the theft totaled over ₦24 million, police said. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the dealers and other collaborators.

In the second case, police uncovered a staged kidnapping reported on September 2, 2025. Two young men faked an abduction to demand a ₦7 million ransom from colleagues, linked to a network marketing scheme called “Quest Int’l Company.” Nine suspects were arrested, along with 21 SIM cards and technical intelligence aiding the investigation.

Both cases are under investigation, and the suspects remain in SCID custody in Minna pending prosecution.