The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command, in collaboration with the Joint Task Force (JTF) comprising the Military, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested 31 suspected vandals across Abuja.
During the successful operation, suspects were found in possession of stolen public infrastructure worth over one billion naira.
According to the FCT Commissioner of Police, Tunji Disu, while parading the suspects on Friday, some of those arrested had stolen critical public infrastructure, causing severe disruptions in several parts of the capital.
Disu further stated that Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) confirmed that a significant portion of the recovered cables and electrical components had been vandalised from multiple electricity stations across the FCT.
As a consequence, he said that residents of Dawaki, Mpape, Nyanya, Karu, and surrounding communities have suffered prolonged blackouts.
Disu said, “Upon recovery, AEDC officials were invited to identify some of the items. They confirmed that the recovered cables and electrical components had been vandalised from multiple electricity stations across the FCT.
“As a direct consequence of these acts of vandalism, several areas, including Dawaki, Mpape, Nyanya, Karu, and surrounding communities, have been plunged into total blackout. The estimated value of all the recovered items exceeds ₦1,000,000,000.”
Other recovered infrastructure items include 115 stolen manhole and drainage covers, five motorcycles, stripped parts of electric transformers, industrial scaffoldings, bundles of armoured and insulated cables, government-installed barbed wire, copper wires, 29 industrial and solar batteries, and other items.
Disu disclosed that security forces conducted targeted raids on scavengers’ colonies and illegal scrap yards, known as “Pantakers,” where stolen public assets were allegedly dismantled and sold.
“On 24 January, raids on Zuba (Abuja) and Diko (Niger State) led to the recovery of vehicle documents with unverifiable ownership, fake Mercedes-Benz chassis numbers, industrial solar batteries, solar panels, and large sacks of stolen armoured cables.
“On 26 January, further raids in Diko yielded similar stolen infrastructure materials.
“On 28 January, illegal structures along the road corridor in Dape Village were demolished to reclaim public infrastructure.
“On 29 January, a raid on Dei-Dei ‘B’ Pantaker led to the recovery of stolen government-installed barbed wire,” Disu said.
He added that 16 of the suspects had already been charged in court for criminal conspiracy and mischief by damaging public infrastructure.
The suspects are: Abubakar Adamu, Emmanuel Eze, Emeka Eziekel, Ahmad Suleiman, Dennis Chiagozie, Ismail Usman, Victor Ezeokoye, Izundu Fidelis, Alex Eddy, Jonathan Obi, Simon Samuel, Mubarak Lawal, Okafor Ekene, Usman Lawal, Shuaibu Yahaya, and James Edu.
Disu stated that the operation is part of a larger effort to curb vandalism and protect critical infrastructure in Abuja and surrounding areas.
He warned criminal elements that security forces will continue to intensify efforts to root out those sabotaging public utilities.
“This comprehensive operation represents a decisive move towards eliminating vandalism and safeguarding critical infrastructure within the FCT and neighbouring states,” he said.
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