The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command of the Nigeria Police Force has announced that its operatives, in collaboration with other security agencies, have arrested 31 suspects and recovered stolen public infrastructure worth over N1 billion.
The FCT Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, disclosed this at a media briefing in Abuja on Friday.
According to him, 16 of the suspects have been arraigned in court on charges of criminal conspiracy and mischief, specifically for damaging public roads, navigable channels, and electrical installations.
The CP stated that the offences are punishable by life imprisonment, a fine, or both under Section 332 of the Penal Code.
Disu listed the recovered items as 115 manhole and drainage covers, five motorcycles, electrical transformer parts, and industrial scaffolding.
He further added that operatives also recovered bundles of armored and insulated cables, copper wires, and fiber optic cables from the suspects.
Additionally, the police seized 29 industrial/solar batteries, solar panels, various stolen infrastructure materials, 75 bags of cement, security doors, and three 5kg gas cylinders, among other items.
According to Disu, Operation Sweep, a joint task force initiative involving the police and other FCT security agencies, successfully carried out the operation.
The police chief described the operation as a decisive enforcement effort targeting vandalism, destruction, and the illegal sale of critical infrastructure to pantaker operators and other illicit buyers.
“The ongoing intensive enforcement operation, which commenced on January 16, has been conducted daily, both day and night,” he stated.
Disu explained that Operation Sweep has led to raids on several major scrap markets, or pantaker markets, in the FCT, including those in Dei-Dei, Kabusa, Dei-Dei Outward Lane, Zuba, Mpape, Jabi, and Nyanya.
The CP stated that the Abuja Markets Management Limited (AMML), under the directive of the FCT Minister, has mandated all pantaker market operators to report for profiling and registration.
According to Disu, the operation aims to tackle the persistent problem of vandalism in the FCT, reiterating that scavenging activities remain prohibited in the territory.
He expressed appreciation for the collaboration and support provided by other security agencies in the FCT, acknowledging their crucial role in the success of the Joint Task Force operation.
The FCT’s intensified crackdown on crime can be attributed to the FCT Minister’s firm stance on law and order.
This zero-tolerance policy has emboldened the command to take decisive action against criminal elements, reflecting the minister’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of the territory.
It is worth recalling that the Nigerian Tribune previously reported how the FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike, on December 12, 2024, donated 50 operational vehicles to security agencies in Abuja to enhance their capacity to combat crime and improve security in the nation’s capital.
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He urged them to launch targeted operations to flush out criminals from their hideouts across the territory, ensuring a safer and more secure environment for all.
The minister also instructed security agencies not to give criminals any space or wait for them to strike before taking action.
He made a similar donation in July 2024 when he distributed 50 operational vehicles to security agencies.
