By Akpan Udo-Inyang
CALABAR
A 24-year-old scrap metal buyer, Abdulraman Suleiman alias Fulani, has been arrested by the Cross River State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Suleman serves as the primary receiver for stolen ATC Base Transceiver Station (BTS) equipment in the Odukpani axis of Cross River State and NSCDC, says with the arrest, it has successfully dismantled a syndicate that specialises in the vandalization and trafficking of telecommunication mast components.
A statement by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Orok Kinini- Iyeme made available to journalists in Calabar, said it is a swift demonstration of its zero-tolerance policy against the sabotage of Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII).
It also follows an intense, intelligence-led operation even as the operatives of the Command had earlier arrested a principal suspect, 23-year-old Bassey Inyang, who was apprehended on July 15, 2026, for the attempted vandalism of an ATC BTS Facility (Site No. 630363 – CRO 165) at Odukpani Junction.
According to the Command PRO, during preliminary interrogations, the principal suspect confessed to actively stripping the telecom site and selling the stolen components to a local scrap dealer.
She said, “acting swiftly on this intelligence, the State Commandant, CC Okarazu Chima, directed the immediate deployment of a joint team comprising the Intelligence Department, CNAI operatives, and the Odukpani Divisional personnel.”
Iyeme, added that on July 18, 2026, the operatives successfully tracked and raided the receiver’s enclave at the Odukpani Flyover, leading to his immediate arrest.
The PRO said during a thorough search of the receiver’s premises, operatives recovered a massive black metal radio mounting frame (measuring approximately 4ft 2inches by 4ft 11inches), which was explicitly identified as the stolen ATC facility component.
The statement said while the receiver admitted to purchasing the items from the principal suspect on two separate occasions, he claimed ignorance of their origin, a defense the Command explicitly rejects.
She said the Command was currently analyzing statements from both suspects and has launched a massive tactical manhunt for fleeing members of the syndicate, including another receiver identified as Mr. Abdul alias Jadawa and the syndicate’s primary financier, Mr. Saleh.
Reacting to the arrest, the State Commandant, Okarazu Chima said the arrests were part of ongoing efforts to protect critical national assets and curb economic sabotage.
He noted that ATC BTS Facility remained critical national assets that support communication services, business operations and national development.
The state commandant reminded members of the public that wilful destruction, tampering with or unauthorised interference with telecommunications infrastructure is punishable under relevant laws, including the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.
He reiterated that the command will no longer tolerate the existence of illicit markets for vandalized national assets within Cross River State.
The state commandant said that the suspects who have been remanded in custody at the state command headquarters will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations adding that the management of ATC has been officially contacted for the valuation of the recovered items.