Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Jigawa State Command, says it has arrested and detained a 22-year old ex-student for allegedly attempting to steal laboratory equipment from his former school in Dutse.

The command’s spokesperson, ASC Badruddeen Tijjani, confirmed this in a statement in Dutse on Thursday.

Mr Tijjani said the suspect, a former labour perfect in the school, was apprehended through the corps’ Safe School Supervision and Security Coordination Initiative.

He explained that the suspect, aged 22 and resident of Zai Rankwace area in Dutse town, was apprehended following a formal complaint lodged by the school authorities over the recurring theft of laboratory equipment and other valuables from the facility.

He stated, “We have recorded another significant success under the safe school supervision and security coordination initiative with the arrest of a suspected thief who attempted to steal laboratory equipment from a school facility in Dutse.

“The 22-year-old suspect and resident of Zai Rankwace area in Dutse, was apprehended by NSCDC personnel following a formal complaint lodged by the school authorities over the recurring theft of laboratory equipment and other valuables from the institution.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect, who is a former Labour Prefect of the school was arrested while attempting to cart away five microscopes from the school’s main laboratory.”

The spokesperson added that further reports from the school management indicated that several laboratory items had earlier gone missing under suspicious circumstances.

According to him, the missing items include 10 conical flasks, 10 microscopes, 10 laboratory lamps, one desiccation jar, two washing bottles and two gas cylinders (6kg and 3kg respectively).

“The timely intervention of NSCDC operatives under the ‘Safe School’ security arrangement played a critical role in preventing the continued vandalism and theft of vital educational facilities within the institution,” Mr Tijjani added.

He reiterated that the Safe School Initiative remains a strategic security framework aimed at protecting school environments, safeguarding critical educational infrastructure, and ensuring that students and staff operated in a safe and secured learning environment across the state.

Mr Tijjani further assured that the corps would continue to deploy personnel and strengthen surveillance around schools to prevent criminal activities capable of disrupting the education sector.

He also warned individuals with criminal intentions to stay away from school facilities or face full wrath of the law.

“The command remains committed to working closely with school authorities, community stakeholders and other security agencies to ensure that all educational institutions in the state remain safe, secured, and conducive for learning

“The suspect has since been charged with the offences of criminal trespass and theft and has been arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction for prosecution in accordance with the law,” the spokesperson added. 

(NAN)