The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has apprehended 31 individuals involved in the vandalism and theft of public infrastructure valued at over ₦1 billion in Abuja.
The arrests followed a series of coordinated raids on major scrap yards and illegal markets across the city as part of “Operation Sweep,” a special task force aimed at tackling the destruction of critical public assets.
During a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, FCT Commissioner of Police, Tunji Disu, disclosed that the operation was launched on the directive of FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike. The minister had convened a Core Security Committee Meeting on January 13, 2025, to address the rising cases of vandalism.
Crackdown on Scrap Yards and Recovery of Stolen Assets
As part of the operation, the FCT Administration ordered the closure of all scrap yards, commonly known as ‘Pantaker’ markets, for two weeks to disrupt the trade in stolen public property.
The joint task force—comprising the Nigerian Police, Nigerian Army, Civil Defence, DSS, Immigration, FRSC, NDLEA, and other agencies—conducted raids in multiple locations, including Dei-Dei, Nyanya, Zuba, Mpape, Kabusa, Jabi, and Gwarinpa.
The crackdown led to the recovery of a vast array of stolen public assets, including:
- 115 manhole and drainage covers
- Industrial solar batteries, solar panels, and fiber optic cables
- Transformer components and armored cables
- 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 from the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) confirmed that several recovered electrical components had been stolen from power stations, causing prolonged blackouts in areas such as Dawaki, Mpape, Nyanya, and Karu.
Prosecution and Strict Warnings to Business Owners
Out of the 31 suspects arrested, 16 have already been charged in court for criminal conspiracy, vandalism, and receiving stolen public property—offenses punishable under Section 332 of the Penal Code. The individuals facing prosecution 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.
Meanwhile, the Abuja Markets Management Limited (AMML) has directed all scrap dealers to report for profiling and registration at Wuse Zone 6 on February 5, 2025. Scavengers, locally known as Baban Bola, remain strictly banned across the FCT.
Authorities have also cautioned business operators to verify the origin of goods they purchase, warning that ignorance will not be accepted as an excuse. Any individual or business caught selling, receiving, or storing stolen government property will face immediate arrest, prosecution, and closure.
Continued Security Surveillance
Security agencies have pledged to conduct continuous spot-checks on warehouses and market stalls to enforce compliance.
The FCT Commissioner of Police commended all security agencies involved in the operation and assured residents that the fight against vandalism would continue with full force.
Residents have been 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, this operation marks one of the largest anti-vandalism crackdowns in the history of the FCT.