BREAKING: FCT Police nab 31 suspects over theft of manhole covers, transformer components, others worth N1b

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested 31 suspects allegedly involved in the vandalism and theft of public infrastructure worth over ₦1 billion in Abuja.

The arrests were made during coordinated raids across major scrap yards and illegal markets in the FCT.

FCT Commissioner of Police, Tunji Disu, revealed this during a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, where he highlighted the achievements of “Operation Sweep”, a special task force set up to combat the destruction of public assets.

The initiative was launched after the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, convened a Core-Security Committee Meeting on January 13, 2025, directing security agencies to clamp down on infrastructure vandalism in the capital city.

“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.

“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.”

Security agencies have vowed to continue spot-checks on warehouses and market stalls to ensure compliance.

The FCT Commissioner of Police expressed appreciation to all security agencies involved, affirming that the war against vandalism will continue relentlessly.

“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.