The suspects were paraded over alleged sexual offences, vandalism, theft, forgery, impersonation and cattle rustling as investigations continue

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Gombe State Command, arrested 16 suspects over alleged rape, vandalism, theft, forgery, impersonation and cattle rustling across the state, the command spokesperson, Chief Superintendent of Corps Buhari Saad, said in Gombe on Wednesday, August 12, 2026.

Also read: NSCDC Arrests Four Over School Roofing Theft

Buhari-Saad paraded the suspects before journalists and said their arrests followed investigations into separate alleged offences recorded in different parts of Gombe State.

“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,” he said.

Three of the suspects were arrested in connection with separate alleged sexual offences involving underage victims.

The command identified Mohammed Nasir Usman, 19, of Hampati Wuro Brigi Bypass in Akko Local Government Area, in connection with an alleged incident said to have occurred on August 3.

Buhari-Saad alleged that Usman lured an eight-year-old girl to a primary school, where she was sexually abused.

Another suspect, Malambaba Uru, 64, of Jakarta Ferry Ward, Abacha Road, Gombe, was arrested over an alleged sexual offence involving a 14-year-old girl.

The command said the incident allegedly occurred on July 27 at Uru’s chemist shop in the Jakarta Ferry area. Buhari-Saad further alleged that the suspect had repeatedly abused the girl.

The third suspect in the sexual-offence cases was identified as Madala Matthias, 15, of Baganji in Kaltungo Local Government Area.

He was arrested over an alleged incident involving an eight-year-old girl on August 10. The NSCDC said Matthias allegedly lured the girl to an isolated location where she was sexually abused.

The command also paraded suspects linked to alleged vandalism, theft and criminal conspiracy.

Among them were Habila Matthias, 30, of Poguanli, Kaltungo, and Mika Malangai, 25, of Kogwangli, also in Kaltungo Local Government Area.

Malangai was allegedly found with aluminium conductive wire and was linked by investigators to the alleged theft of a plug, according to the command. (Punch Newspapers)

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.

Buhari-Saad said the trio were allegedly found with 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 command warned residents to be cautious of people allegedly impersonating NSCDC personnel or using unauthorised uniforms and identification documents.

The warning is significant because impersonation of security personnel can undermine public confidence and make it harder for residents to distinguish legitimate officers from people attempting to exploit the authority associated with security agencies.

The NSCDC said it would continue investigating the allegations and prosecute suspects found culpable in accordance with the law.

The operation also extended beyond Gombe’s borders.

Buhari-Saad said Saleh Ibrahim Mel, 27, of Dalori in 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 neighbouring Taraba State.

The pair were intercepted at Lambam in Yamaltu-Deba Local Government Area of Gombe 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 said all the suspects remained in custody while investigations continued, with those found culpable expected to face prosecution.

The command’s emphasis on cattle rustling also reflects the wider security and economic concerns surrounding livestock theft in parts of northern Nigeria, where the crime can affect farmers, herders and local communities.

Buhari-Saad urged residents to continue providing security agencies with useful information that could help prevent offences and identify suspects.

He said cooperation between security agencies and communities remained important to maintaining public safety.

“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,” he said. (Punch Newspapers)

The arrests do not amount to convictions, and the allegations against the suspects will have to be established through investigation and due legal process.

For the Gombe NSCDC Command, however, the arrests represent another significant operation against a range of offences, from attacks on vulnerable residents to property crimes and livestock theft.

Also read: NSCDC Arrests Five Over Theft Syndicates in Gombe

The command said its investigations would continue, with the eventual outcome expected to determine which of the suspects would face charges in court.