The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has cracked down on vandals and thieves, arresting 31 suspects involved in the theft of public infrastructure worth over ₦1 billion in Abuja. The suspects were caught following a series of coordinated raids on major scrap yards and illegal markets in Abuja.The arrests are part of “Operation Sweep,” a special task force established to curb the destruction of critical public assets. FCT Commissioner of Police, Tunji Disu, announced the success of the operation during a press briefing in Abuja, where he detailed the achievements of the task force.
“As part of the operation, the FCT administration ordered a two-week shutdown of all scrap yards, commonly known as ‘Pantaker’ markets, to dismantle the trade in stolen public infrastructure.”The joint task force, consisting of the Nigerian Police, Nigerian Army, Civil Defence, DSS, Immigration, FRSC, NDLEA, and other agencies, launched raids across multiple locations, including Dei-Dei, Nyanya, Zuba, Mpape, Kabusa, Jabi, and Gwarinpa.
“The raids led to the recovery of large quantities of stolen public assets, including: 115 manhole covers and drainage covers; industrial solar batteries, solar panels, and fibre optic cables; transformer components and armoured cables.”Others are 75 bags of cement, security doors, and electric changeovers; vehicle chassis number templates and fake Mercedes-Benz chassis numbers; motorcycles, water pumping machines, and power generators.”
Officials of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) confirmed that many of the recovered electrical components were stolen from power stations, leading to blackouts in areas like Dawaki, Mpape, Nyanya, and Karu.”Sixteen of the 31 suspects arrested have already been charged to court for criminal conspiracy, vandalism, and receiving stolen public property, offenses punishable under Section 332 of the Penal Code. Those charged include: Abubakar Adamu, Emmanuel John Eze, Emeka Eziekel, Ahmad Suleiman, Dennis Chiagozie, Ismail Usman, Victor Ezeokoye, Izundu Videlis, Alex Okechukwu Eddy, Jonathan R. Obi, Simon Samuel, Mubarak Lawal, Okafor Ekene, Usman Lawal, Shuaibu Yahaya and James Edu.”
The Abuja Markets Management Limited (AMML) has ordered all scrap dealers to report for profiling and registration on February 5, 2025, at Wuse Zone 6. Meanwhile, scavengers, known locally as Baban Bola, remain strictly banned in the FCT.The operation was launched after FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, convened a Core-Security Committee Meeting with security agencies on January 13, 2025, to tackle the growing menace of vandalism and theft. The meeting led to a directive to shut down all scrap yards, commonly known as ‘Pantaker’ markets, for two weeks to dismantle the trade in stolen public infrastructure.
“Authorities have warned business operators to verify the source of all goods they acquire, as ignorance will not be accepted as an excuse. Selling, receiving, or storing stolen government property will lead to immediate arrest, prosecution, and business closure.”
“Residents are urged to report any suspicious activities or attempts to steal public property to the police or the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).”With the estimated value of recovered infrastructure exceeding ₦1 billion, the crackdown marks one of the largest anti-vandalism operations in FCT history,” the statement added.
Sixteen of the 31 suspects have been charged to court for criminal conspiracy, vandalism, and receiving stolen public property. Security agencies have vowed to continue spot-checks on warehouses and market stalls to ensure compliance, and the FCT Commissioner of Police has expressed appreciation to all security agencies involved, affirming that the war against vandalism will continue relentlessly.
Source : https://saharareporters.com/
