Two security guards held by NSCDC for stealing government-owned air conditioners

By Boye Oyeyemi

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Ondo State has arrested two private security guards for allegedly stealing and selling air conditioners belonging to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority.

The state command, in a statement issued on Sunday by its Public Relations Officer, Daniel Aidamenbor, said the suspects were apprehended following intelligence-driven surveillance by operatives of the corps.

The statement quoted the State Commandant, Oluyemi Ibiloye, as saying that one of the suspects, Peter Jacob, 36, a guard employed by Crown Security Network, was arrested in possession of an air conditioner traced to a government agency’s office complex.

According to the NSCDC, Jacob confessed during interrogation and implicated another security guard, Oluwatosin Oluwafemi, 29, who works with Global Security Networks. The second suspect was subsequently arrested and reportedly admitted to participating in the theft.

Preliminary findings revealed that the affected agency had recently replaced its old air conditioners with new units, while the removed equipment was kept within the premises pending further action.

Investigators discovered that five air-conditioning units had allegedly been stolen and sold before the suspects were apprehended, prompting a wider investigation into the activities of the syndicate.

The command said the suspects remained in custody and were assisting investigators, while efforts were ongoing to track down other members of the group and recover additional stolen items.

Ibiloye reaffirmed the corps’ commitment to protecting critical national assets and urged private security firms to strengthen background checks and monitoring of their personnel to curb insider-related crimes