By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, on Monday banned scavengers from the City Centre, thereby confining their activities to dumpsites in the suburbs.
The FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Olatunji Disu, on Monday, announced this after the first Security Council meeting in 2025, chaired by the FCT Minister Barr. Nyesom Wike in Abuja.
CP.Disu stated that, henceforth, individuals involved in vandalizing public infrastructures will be charged with economic sabotage.
He explained that the move is to curb the prevalence of infrastructure and insecurity posed by such activities.
Speaking to newsmen after the meeting, CP Disu emphasized the need for stiff penalties, as against the lenient punishments have allowed vandals to continue their activities.
He said, “Many of these criminals are fined as little as ₦2,000 or given 24 strokes of the cane. This does nothing to deter them. Going forward, we will charge them with economic sabotage and, in severe cases, attempted murder or murder.”
Emphasizing the dangers posed by vandalism, such as the removal of manhole covers, which often lead to fatal accidents, CP Disu noted that these acts are enough to kill residents of the Federal Capital Territory.
” Imagine driving at night and falling into an open manhole. This is not just about infrastructure; it’s about lives,he stated.
He urged residents to take public infrastructure as shared property and report suspicious activities.
“If you see something, say something. Let’s join hands to protect what belongs to all of us,” he pleaded.
Meanwhile, the council has resolved to enforce a two-week ban on the operations of Pantekas (scrap metal dealers) to profile them to ensure only legitimate businesses remain.
Also, scavenging activities have similarly been restricted to designated dump sites outside the city centre and suburbs.
“We are shutting down Pantekas for two weeks starting tomorrow to conduct proper profiling. Scavengers, too, must now limit their activities to dump sites. They have no business in the city centre or residential areas,” the CP Disu announced.
Speaking on the persistent threat of “one chance” robbery, th4 Police Commissioner revealed that the police made significant progress in 2024 by recovering 21 operational vehicles used by the criminals.
“Most of these vehicles were fully tinted, making it difficult for victims to seek help. We will continue with the intelligence-driven patrols and strategies that worked last year to reduce these crimes,” he said.
He explained that the criminals’ activities are treated as armed robbery and, in some cases, kidnapping under the law.
Responding to inquiries about the bomb blast in Bwari, he assured residents that investigations are ongoing. “We are doing everything possible to unravel the matter. When the time is right, I will provide an update on our findings,” he said.
The FCTA reiterates a strong stance on vandalism, tighter regulations on scrap metal dealers and scavengers, and commitment to combating robbery and to ensure the safety and well-being of all residents in 2025.
