Police Arrest 50 Suspects Over Manhole Vandalism In Abuja
…Recover 25 covers, solar streetlights
The Police command for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on Monday, January 6, 2025, announced the arrest of about 50 suspects for vandalism and theft of manhole covers within the territory.
The suspects were arrested at various “panteka” hotspots in Kabusa, Garki, Mabushi and Wuse areas of the nation’s capital city.
During the mop up by the operatives of the police, about 25 manhole covers, three vehicles, vandalised solar streetlights, galvanised rods used in the construction of flyovers, other tools used in vandalising government installations, and several other exhibits were also recovered.
Speaking on the arrest, the FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Olatunji Disu, said that investigations revealed that the suspects operated as part of a larger network, selling stolen manhole covers to scrap dealers.
Disu further said that the operatives of the police conducted a targeted operation which led to the arrest of 50 suspects and recovery of 25 manhole covers, three vehicles, vandalized solar street lights, galvanized rods used in the construction of flyovers and other tools used in vandalizing these government installations.
The FCT police boss also said that several other exhibits were recovered at various panteka hotspots in Kabusa, Garki, Mabushi and Wuse.
In the words of Disu; “Investigations have revealed that these individuals operate as part of a larger network, selling stolen manhole covers to scrap dealers. This criminal activity endangers the lives of the general public by creating hazards on roads and walkways while undermining the integrity of public infrastructure.
“Below is a detailed breakdown of the suspects arrested and exhibits recovered: The suspects arrested include; Bashir Usman, Shaibu Ibrahim, Sani Isah, Ibrahim Hassan, Mustapha Hassan, Awal Nawan, Umar Aliyu, Auta Umar, Simon Clement, Datti Ibrahim, Mohammed Salim, Ibrahim Ibrahim, and Ifeanyi-Chuckwu Emmanuel.
“Others are Abba Ismail, Najib Abdul, Muhammed Lawal, Rabiu Ibrahim, Adamu Suleiman, Abdulkarim Abdullahi, Haruna Nasiru, Abdul Nai’ja, Josua Steven, Livinus Steven, Ismail Abdullahi, Munir Sada, Ibrahim Yahaya, Yahaya Musa, Dahiru Nasiru, Abdullahi Muhammed, Monday Barnabas, and Hamisu Iman.
The list also include; “Promise Abanonum, Ehieze Emeka, Ehieze Justice, Mohammed Inusa, Tijanni Suleiman, Promise James, Haruna Auwalu, Ayuba Danjuma, Suleiman Abu, Nafiu Ahmmed, Kamalu Junaidu, Zaradeen Yakubu, Abdulhadi Adam, Mohammed Ibrahim, Chukwu Emmanuel, Douglas Yahaya, Mohammed Lawal, Auwal Musa and Abubakar Kabiru.
“EXHIBITS RECOVERED: 25 galvanized manhole covers; five solar street lights; Several galvanized poles used in the construction of flyovers; 15 street light poles cut into smaller pieces; Several rolls of high voltage AEDC cables; two locally made pistols; two live cartridges; One sharp knife; 30 tubes of triple sub glue; several charms; 13 large solar panels; Seven barrels of diesel suspected to have been stolen from network masts; One Volkswagen sporter bus with Reg. No. BJK 592 XA reconstructed into a diesel tanker.
“Also one Toyota Carina II vehicle with Reg. No. RBC 312 JL Several iron rebar rods; Nine car tire rims; one fire extinguisher; 11 plasma TV sets; several decoders and remotes; 13 cement bags; two reinforced iron doors; three pumping machines suspected to be used in extracting diesel; two car batteries; one photo frame; one pack of tiles; 16 plastic chairs; three generators; one aluminium ladder; one wheel barrow; one roll of roofing sheets; two gas cylinders; one indoor and outdoor AC Unit; sumo water pumps and several iron cutting tools,” CP Disu announced.
The FCT police boss said that the diversity and volume of recovered items highlighted the extensive and organized nature of the syndicates, whose activities have caused significant harm to public infrastructure, projects and services in the territory.
Disu further said; “I want to emphasise that the FCT Police Command and our sister security agencies operate a zero-tolerance policy toward acts of vandalism and theft that undermine public infrastructure and safety.
“This achievement underscores our unwavering commitment to protecting the critical infrastructure of the Federal Capital Territory. We will continue to ensure that all those responsible for these criminal acts are brought to justice. The kind of these enclaves will continue,” he assured.
