“Over N1 Billion in Stolen Public Assets Recovered by FCT Police in Anti-Vandalism Drive”

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has successfully arrested 31 suspects and recovered stolen public assets worth over N1 billion in a recent crackdown.

This was revealed by the Commissioner of Police (CP) for the FCT, Mr. Olatunji Disu, during a news conference in Abuja on Friday. According to Disu, 16 of the suspects have already been charged in court with criminal conspiracy and mischief, specifically for causing damage to public roads, navigable channels, and electrical installations.

The CP highlighted that the offences were punishable by life imprisonment, a fine, or both, under Section 332 of the Penal Code.

Among the items recovered from the suspects were 115 manhole and drainage covers, five motorcycles, parts of electrical transformers, and industrial scaffoldings. Additionally, bundles of armoured and insulated cables, copper wires, and fibre optic cables were seized, alongside 29 industrial/solar batteries, solar panels, several stolen infrastructure materials, 75 bags of cement, security doors, and three 5kg gas cylinders.

The arrests and recoveries were made possible by the launch of “Operation Sweep,” a Joint Task Force initiative involving the police and other security agencies. The operation was designed to tackle the rampant vandalism and illegal sales of critical infrastructure to illicit buyers, commonly known as “pantaker” operators.

Since its commencement on January 16, the operation has been ongoing, conducted both day and night, and has resulted in multiple raids across key “pantaker” markets in the FCT, including Dei-Dei, Kabusa, Zuba, Mpape, Jabi, and Nyanya.

To further combat the issue, the Abuja Markets Management Limited (AMML), under the direction of the FCT Minister, has mandated all market operators involved in the illegal trade of these materials to report for profiling and registration. The aim is to better monitor and control the activities contributing to vandalism, with additional support from other security agencies in the ongoing enforcement.

Disu expressed his gratitude to the various security bodies involved, commending their collective efforts in ensuring the success of the operation.