The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has announced major disciplinary and operational actions, including the sanctioning of 79 personnel for professional misconduct.

The NSCDC National Public Relations Officer, Assistant Commandant of Corps Babawale Afolabi, said in a statement that the Corps had also arrested 12 suspects linked to critical infrastructure vandalism and illegal arms dealing.

According to the statement, the Commandant General of the NSCDC, Ahmed Abubakar Audi, reaffirmed the Corps’ commitment to institutional transparency, public safety, and zero tolerance for compromise.

It said that following investigations conducted under the Public Service Rules and NSCDC Conditions of Service, disciplinary proceedings were concluded for 75 personnel.

The affected officers include an Assistant Commandant General (ACG), two Deputy Commandants (DCs), 35 other senior officers, and 37 junior officers.

According to the statement, “Established infractions ranged from job racketeering, financial misconduct, theft, and absence without official leave, to acts prejudicial to state security. Sanctions applied include dismissal, compulsory retirement, and recommendation for criminal prosecution.”

The statement said among the concluded cases was the February 18, 2026, operational incident at Rafin Gabas, Kokona Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, which led to the death of Mining Marshals Location Commander Levi Agada.

It said investigations established that two personnel, Hosea Habila and Jibrin Labaran, engaged suspected illegal miners with firearms without authorisation. Both officers have been dismissed from the Service and recommended for criminal prosecution.

Additionally, four personnel are currently undergoing disciplinary proceedings handled by the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad (CG’S SIS), with the joint effort of the Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police, over alleged illegal arms dealing. They are facing both internal disciplinary action and legal prosecution.

The suspects are Superintendent Tesie Victor Nnamdi (Enugu State Command), Assistant Superintendent II Okwuruinya Uchenna (Ebonyi State Command), and Assistant Superintendent II Obaji Sampson (Ebonyi State Command).

Superintendent Achor Favour (Nasarawa State Command) is also undergoing administrative disciplinary proceedings following public concern over the alleged mistreatment and negligence of a teenage domestic helper, Mercy Hajara Muhammad.

In another development, nine suspects were arrested by the CG’S SIS at different locations in connection with related crimes across Ebonyi, Enugu, Kogi, Niger States, and the Federal Capital Territory.

The names of the nine alleged illegal firearm and ammunition dealers were given as Friday Nnanna Ujor, 51; Chika Sampson Nwozaku, 48; Nnanna Ujor Chinasa, 45; Nnanna Fountain; Nnanna Abundant Ifechukwu; and three NSCDC officers: SC Tesie Victor Nnamdi, ASCI Okwuruinya Uchenna, and ASCI Obaji Sampson.

The Corps also said that, as part of efforts to protect critical national assets and infrastructure (CNAI), its operatives arrested six suspected vandals with a full trailer load of railway sleepers at Sabon Wuse on 25 July 2026.

The vandalised sleepers were concealed in a blue DAF trailer with registration number ZAR 618 XT.

Similarly, a two-man vandalism syndicate, Raphael Danjuma and Isaac Zegbe, from Toto and Basa Local Government Areas of Nasarawa State, were arrested for alleged electrical and cable vandalism in the Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory.

The Corps emphasised that the actions of the sanctioned personnel do not reflect the integrity and dedication of the vast majority of NSCDC officers nationwide.

It added that all suspects and affected personnel retain their constitutional rights to due process as administrative and legal proceedings continue.

The NSCDC urged members of the public to remain vigilant and continue sharing actionable intelligence to safeguard national security.

Barrister Amaechi Achi Onwuzor, counsel to suspected kidnappers standing trial over the alleged abduction of a woman at the Vegetable Market and other kidnapping incidents in Benin City, has lamented the failure of some witnesses to appear before the court to testify.

DAILY POST reports that Barrister Amaechi expressed the concern while speaking to newsmen on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, after the close of the defence’s case.

Amaechi is counsel to three of the four suspects standing trial at the Special Court set up by the Edo State Government to handle cultism- and kidnapping-related cases in the state.

The special court is presided over by Justice Aigbona Terry Momodu.

Amaechi is counsel to Marvelous Isaac, 32; Wisdom Michael, 36; and Rufus Emete Michael, 30.

The other defendant is 27-year-old Miss Gift Raphael.

He said the absence of the witnesses is a setback to the fair and speedy determination of the case.

According to him, “We have rounded off our case today. We have entered and concluded our defence. Though we were supposed to have one or two witnesses, unfortunately, the witnesses were not ready to appear before the court.

“I am worried that the witnesses are not here because they would have been able to strengthen our case. We have a defence that, on the day of the alleged incident, our clients were not around. But unfortunately, they are not ready to come and give evidence.

“So, we leave it at that.

“They refused to appear before the court for their own personal reasons because we live in a society where everybody has the right to decide what to do. If they say they are not coming, there is nothing we can do. So, we have to go ahead with the case,” he said.

Earlier, at the resumed hearing of the case, the three defendants denied involvement in all the kidnapping allegations levelled against them, insisting that they are not kidnappers.

Justice Aigbona Terry Momodu, however, adjourned the case to Friday, August 7, 2026, to enable the fourth defendant to open her defence.

The adjournment followed an oral application by Barrister Felix Imasuen, counsel to the fourth defendant, Miss Gift Raphael, to enable him to have a pre-trial conference with her before the commencement of her defence.

He said the adjournment for the pre-trial conference was in the interest of justice.

The suspects, who allegedly abducted a woman at a vegetable market along Airport Road on June 14, 2026, in Benin City, are facing a 10-count charge bordering on cultism, kidnapping, armed robbery, and unlawful possession of firearms.

Kwara State Government has announced that 176 persons abducted during the February 3, 2026 attack on Woro and Nuku communities in Kaiama Local Government Area of the state have regained their freedom.

The State Government announced this on Wednesday in a post on its official Facebook page.

“Alihamdulillaah and kudos to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, security forces and everyone who played a role in this huge feat. We are grateful,” the Facebook post read.

The victims were kidnapped when Boko Haram-linked extremists invaded the rural communities of Woro and Nuku on motorcycles, launching a coordinated assault that reportedly lasted several hours.

The attack, regarded as one of the deadliest in Kwara State’s history, reportedly claimed more than 200 lives, left several others injured, destroyed homes and businesses, and forced many residents to flee.