NSCDC arrests 16 suspects over vandalism, cattle rustling in Gombe
August 12, 2026 8:38 pm
File image: NSCDC operatives
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Gombe State Command, has arrested 16 suspects allegedly involved in rape, vandalism, theft, forgery, impersonation and cattle rustling across the state.
The Command Spokesperson and Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Corps Buhari Saad, disclosed this while parading the suspects before journalists on Wednesday in Gombe.
Buhari-Saad said the arrests followed investigations into various offences committed in different parts of the state.
He said, “Today, I am going to unveil to the public some of the suspects who are terrorising the state with different offences, ranging from rape, vandalism, theft and cattle rustling to forgery and illegal possession of Civil Defence uniforms.”
On alleged sexual offences, the spokesperson said three suspects were in custody over separate incidents involving underage victims.
According to him, the first suspect, Mohammed Nasir Usman, 19, of Hampati Wuro Brigi Bypass, Akko Local Government Area, was arrested in connection with an incident that allegedly occurred on August 3, 2026.
He said Usman allegedly lured an eight-year-old girl to a primary school where she was sexually abused.
Buhari-Saad said, “The first incident occurred on the third of August 2026. The suspect is Mohammed Nasir Usman, a 19-year-old male from Hampati Wuro Bridge Bypass, Akko Local Government Area. He allegedly lured an eight-year-old victim to a primary school where he defiled her.”
The spokesperson also identified a 64-year-old suspect, Malambaba Uru, of Jakarta Ferry Ward, Abacha Road, Gombe, in connection with an alleged sexual offence involving a 14-year-old girl.
He said the incident allegedly occurred on July 27, 2026, at the suspect’s chemist shop in the Jakarta Ferry area of Gombe.
Buhari-Saad described Uru as an alleged repeat offender, saying, “The second suspect is a 64-year-old male. The incident occurred on July 27, 2026. He is alleged to have repeatedly abused the victim, a 14-year-old girl, at his chemist shop.”
The third suspect, according to the NSCDC spokesman, was identified as Madala Matthias, 15, of Baganji, Kaltungo Local Government Area.
He said Matthias was arrested over an alleged incident involving an eight-year-old girl which reportedly occurred on August 10, 2026.
“The third incident involved Madala Matthias, a 15-year-old male from Baganji, Kaltungo Local Government Area. The incident occurred on the 10th of this month. He allegedly lured an eight-year-old victim to an isolated area and sexually abused her,” he said.
Moving to cases of alleged vandalism and theft, Saad said five suspects were in custody in connection with various offences, including criminal conspiracy, vandalism and theft.
He identified one of the suspects as Habila Matthias, 30, of Poguanli, Kaltungo Local Government Area.
Another suspect, Mika Malangai, 25, also of Kogwangli, Kaltungo Local Government Area, was allegedly arrested over criminal conspiracy, vandalism and theft.
According to the spokesman, Malangai was allegedly found with an aluminium conductive wire and was linked to the theft of a plug.
Saad further disclosed that three other suspects were arrested over alleged conspiracy, impersonation and forgery.
They were identified as Awal Umar, 26, of Tukulma, Akko Local Government Area; Hamza Usman, 23, of Herwagana, Gombe; and Yakubu Muhammad, 22, also of Herwagana.
He said the three suspects were allegedly found in possession of NSCDC volunteer identity cards and uniforms.
“They were found in possession of NSCDC volunteer ID cards and uniforms, whereas none of our volunteer members has any form of identification,” he said.
The spokesman warned members of the public against individuals allegedly impersonating NSCDC personnel or using unauthorised uniforms and identification cards.
He said the Command would continue to investigate the suspects and prosecute those found culpable in accordance with the law.
On cattle rustling, Buhari-Saad said two suspects, Saleh Ibrahim Mel, 27, of Dalori, Kunduga Local Government Area, and Umar Haji Mel, 40, were arrested over the alleged rustling of 13 cows from Gomu in Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State.
He said the suspects were intercepted at Lambam, Yamaltu-Deba Local Government Area of Gombe State, during an operation involving NSCDC personnel and other security operatives.
“The two suspects allegedly conspired and rustled 13 cows from Gomu in Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State. They were, however, intercepted at Lambam in Yamaltu-Deba Local Government Area by our men in collaboration with other security personnel,” Buhari-Saad said.
The NSCDC spokesman said the suspects remained in custody while investigations continued, adding that those found culpable would be charged to court.
He urged residents to continue providing security agencies with useful information that could assist in preventing crime and apprehending suspects.
Buhari-Saad assured residents that the Command would sustain its operations against criminal activities across Gombe State.
He said, “We will continue to work with other security agencies and members of the public to ensure that criminal elements do not have a haven in Gombe State.”
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