Zamfara NSCDC Nabs 9 Over School Vandalism, Arrests Chemist With Drugs

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Zamfara State Command has paraded nine suspects for alleged criminal conspiracy, vandalisation and theft of roofing zinc at Tsageru Primary School in Tsafe Local Government Area of the state.

The Command also arrested a 58-year-old chemist, Mr. Emmanuel Okonkwo, for alleged illegal dealing in cannabis, tramadol, diazepam and Exol 5 in Birnin Magaji LGA.

Parading the suspects in Gusau the Zamfara State Capital on Monday, the Commandant Sani Mustapha said the case of school vandalism was reported by the Education Secretary of Tsafe LGA, Mr. Abdulrahman Aliyu, 56, through the Divisional Corps Office.

Giving details, the Command said one Alhaji Haruna Amadu, 55, of Tsageru village was apprehended on September 8, 2026 at about 3:00pm, and during interrogation he mentioned eight other accomplices.

The other suspects paraded are: 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.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects conspired and removed the roofing zinc of three classrooms between 5th September and the date of arrest,” the statement said.

The Command further disclosed that the suspects confessed to the crime and admitted attempting to bribe the village heads to cover up the act.

“However, both the District Head, Sarkin Gabas Aliyu, and the Village Head, Magaji Kabiru Salisu, declined the offer and advised them against the act,” it added.

The suspects also confessed that they carried out the act without the knowledge of the Zamfara State Universal Basic Education Board, ZSUBEB, and that they intended to pay levies to enable them access farmlands during the cultivation period.

The Command estimated the cost of damage to the vandalised school block at N4.5 million.

Chemist Arrested With Hard Drugs In Birnin Magaji

In a related development, the Corps said it arrested Mr. Emmanuel Okonkwo, 58, in his shop at Bakin Tasha area of Birnin Magaji LGA on September 10, 2026 at about 11:30pm.

Items recovered from the suspect include 112 packs of cannabis, 1,160 tablets of Exol 5, 14 sachets of Tramadol of 225mg and 50mg, and 133 tablets of Diazepam D10.

During interrogation, Okonkwo confessed to running the illegal business for over 20 years as the owner of a chemist shop. He also mentioned two accomplices, one Yellow and Sadiq, who are said to be at large and operate in Kaduna State and Malele village in Dansadau respectively.

The State Commandant, Commandant Sani Mustapha, has directed that the drug suspect be transferred to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, for further investigation and prosecution, while the nine suspects involved in the school vandalism will be arraigned before a competent court of law.

Commandant Mustapha reiterated the Corps’ commitment under the leadership of the Commandant General, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, to rid the state of criminalities and economic sabotage.

“NSCDC has zero tolerance for criminality and any unethical vices. Any suspect apprehended will face thorough investigation and be brought to justice,” he said.

The Command called on traditional rulers, community leaders and residents to continue to support security agencies with credible information to curb vandalism and drug abuse in the state.