FG staff buses vandalised in Suleja

By Osordi Ayomide

Suspected vandals have targeted several staff buses belonging to federal government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), removing vital components from the vehicles parked at the Suleja Local Government Secretariat.

The incident, which occurred over the weekend in Suleja, Niger State, saw no fewer than seven buses burgled, with their Engine Control Units (ECUs), popularly known as “brain boxes,” carted away by the perpetrators.

Findings reveal that the affected buses are used to convey federal workers residing in Suleja to their various offices in Abuja. Agencies impacted by the incident include the Federal Ministries of Agriculture, Budget and National Planning, the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Sharia Court of Appeal, the Office of the Head of Service, and the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development. A bus belonging to media personnel was also reportedly affected.

The matter has been reported to the Suleja Divisional Police Headquarters, where authorities have commenced investigations.

One of the affected drivers, Mr. Jimah Umar of the Ministry of Budget and National Planning, recounted how the theft was discovered.

“We came in the morning, intending to move the bus, and initially suspected the battery had been tampered with. However, after checking, we realised the brain box had been removed. That was when we raised the alarm,” he said.

Similarly, Mr. Amos Amodu, a driver with the Nigeria Integrated Water Resources Management Commission and Secretary of the Suleja Staff Buses Association, confirmed that multiple vehicles were affected.

“I received a call from a colleague about his vehicle. On getting there, we discovered it was not an isolated case. Several buses belonging to different agencies had been vandalised,” he stated.

Drivers at the secretariat expressed growing concern over what they described as a rising trend of theft in the area. According to Mr. Joel Arenkhanda of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, such incidents were previously unheard of.

“I have been parking here since 2015 without any issues. However, since around September 2025, cases of fuel siphoning and theft of tools like jacks and wheel spanners have been reported,” he said.

Security personnel on duty at the time, comprising two elderly guards and members of a local vigilante group, claimed they were unaware of the incident. They suggested that the theft may have occurred during heavy rainfall accompanied by strong winds on Saturday night.

A senior police officer in Suleja, who confirmed the development, assured that investigations were ongoing to apprehend those responsible.

The incident has heightened concerns over the security of government property at public facilities, with stakeholders calling for improved surveillance measures and strengthened security presence to curb further vandalism.