Police nab 50 suspected thieves of manhole covers, others in Abuja
CP Tunji Disu, some of the recovered exhibits and the suspected vandals
Published By: Ayorinde Oluokun
By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja
Police operative in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT have arrested 50 suspects allegedly involved in vandalism of public infrastructure and massive theft of manhole covers within the territory.
While parading the suspects before journalists on Monday, FCT Police Command Commissioner, Tunji Disu said they were arrested through a targeted operation.
He added that the operation also led to the recovery of 25 manhole covers, three vehicles, vandalized solar street lights, galvanized rods used in the construction of flyovers, other tools used in vandalizing the government installations, and several other exhibits at various panteka hotspots in Kabusa, Garki, Mabushi and Wuse areas of Abuja.
The suspected vandals
“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, Disu said.
He listed the suspects arrested to 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, Ifeanyi-Chuckwu Emmanuel, Abba Ismail, Najib Abdul, Muhammed Lawal, Rabiu Ibrahim, Adamu Suleiman, Abdulkarim Abdullahi, Haruna Nasiru, Abdul Nai’ja, Josua Steven, Livinus Steven, Ismail Abdullahi and Munir Sada.
Some of the recovered stolen manholes covers
- Police recover abandoned baby, arrest mother in Abuja
- FCT Police recovers ‘alarming array of weapons’ from Obinna Nwigwe
- FCT: 4 minors caught stealing iron rods from uncompleted building
The others are Ibrahim Yahaya, Yahaya Musa, Dahiru Nasiru, Abdullahi Muhammed, Monday Barnabas, Hamisu Iman, 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.
According to the FCT Police Commissioner, items recovered from the suspected vandals include 25 galvanized manhole covers, five solar street lights, several galvanized poles used in the construction of flyovers and street light poles cut into smaller pieces.
CP Tunji Disu showing journalists some of the recovered items
The other exhibits recovered from the suspects are 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, 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 door, 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, four (4) sumo water pumps and several iron cutting tools
“The diversity and volume of recovered items highlight the extensive and organized nature of these syndicates, whose activities have caused significant harm to public infrastructure projects and services in the FCT.
CP Tunji Disu
“I want to emphasize 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,” Disu concluded.
