“FCTA Launches Crackdown on ‘Pantaker’ Markets: Profiling Begins in FCT”
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has announced that security agencies in the territory have commenced the profiling of operators in markets dealing with fairly used goods and scrap metals, often referred to as “pantaker” markets. The profiling began on February 1.
Chief Felix Obuah, Coordinator of the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), shared this update during a meeting with pantaker market officials in Abuja. He explained that the initiative aims to improve the monitoring and regulation of these markets, ensuring more effective oversight of their operations within the FCT.
The profiling comes after the FCT Security Council, led by Minister Nyesom Wike, temporarily suspended the operations of all pantaker markets on January 13. This suspension was part of a broader effort to combat vandalism of public infrastructure, particularly manhole covers, bridge railings, and streetlights in the FCT. A recent police raid on several pantaker markets resulted in the recovery of public items valued at over N1 billion.
Obuah emphasized that the profiling process would allow authorities to identify legitimate operators, track the flow of goods, and determine the sources and destinations of items being bought and sold. “We need to know who supplies you, who you sell to, and maintain a comprehensive register for security purposes,” he stated.
He also warned pantaker operators against buying stolen property or supporting vandalism, urging them to report any suspicious transactions to security agencies. He further explained that only those operators who were officially recognized and registered by the FCTA would be allowed to continue their operations. Any illegal operators must first register, be acknowledged by the Administration, and be profiled by security agencies before they can resume their businesses.
Mr. Adamu Gwary, Director of the FCTA’s Security Services Department, confirmed that only registered pantaker operators would be profiled and permitted to reopen, ensuring proper regulation and security within these markets.
FCT Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olatunji Disu, reinforced the seriousness of the initiative. He expressed his determination to bring order to the pantaker business, declaring, “We are not going to stop until we bring sanity to this sector.” He noted that the profiling would help identify reliable operators and weed out criminals involved in illegal activities.
Alhaji Abbas Bello, the National Chairman of Pantaker Operators, expressed support for the profiling effort. He acknowledged that criminal elements had infiltrated the sector and expressed confidence that the move would help remove those bad actors from the business, ensuring a cleaner, more legitimate operation for the majority of operators.
With the profiling now underway, authorities are hopeful that this initiative will restore order and safety to the pantaker markets while curbing criminal activity in the FCT.
