Power Sabotage Foiled: Army Arrests Vandalism Syndicate at SETRACO Camp, Ebonyi

Distress Call from Amasiri

Troops of Operation Udo Ka have successfully intercepted a four-man syndicate attempting to vandalize a critical power transformer at the SETRACO live camp in Amasiri, Afikpo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. The operation, which took place on Saturday, March 21, 2026, was triggered by a distress call from the camp’s Public Relations Officer.

The rapid response involved a joint team from the 24 Special Engineering Regiment and the 2 Works Battalion, who arrived at the scene at approximately 06:50 a.m. to find one suspect already pinned down by the camp’s internal security personnel.

Accomplices and Hardware Recovered

Initial interrogation of the first suspect proved highly productive, leading troops to a nearby hideout where three additional accomplices were apprehended.

Items Recovered from the Syndicate:

  • Large quantities of copper wires and aluminum cables (stripped from electrical installations).

  • Heavy-duty batteries and specialized cutting tools.

  • Technical equipment specifically designed for dismantling high-voltage transformers.

Security Context: Protecting Critical Infrastructure

The arrest comes at a time of heightened vigilance for Operation Udo Ka in the South-East. While much of the task force’s recent focus has been on counter-insurgency raids in Izzi and Ezza-Eyimaggu, this incident highlights the growing threat of economic sabotage.

The SETRACO camp in Amasiri is a vital hub for ongoing regional construction and infrastructure projects. Vandalism of its power source not only disrupts local operations but also threatens the safety of the personnel stationed at the live camp. The Nigerian Army recently expanded its footprint in this area with the groundbreaking of a new Army Depot at Amasiri-Edda in January 2026, aimed specifically at enhancing security and civil-military relations in the Afikpo axis.

Analysis: The "Copper Goldmine"

Transformer vandalism in Ebonyi State has reached crisis levels in 2026, with the State Commissioner for Power recently describing it as a "crippling menace." The recovery of aluminum cables and copper suggests this was not an amateur theft but part of a structured "black market" supply chain. By handing the suspects over for "appropriate legal action," the military is signaling that economic sabotage will now be treated with the same tactical urgency as kinetic threats. For the residents of Amasiri, the quick intervention saved the community from what could have been weeks of avoidable darkness.

“On arrival, troops confirmed that one suspect had been apprehended... interrogation led to the arrest of three additional accomplices and the recovery of cutting tools and equipment.” — Military Security Source