The Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, has been grappling with a surge in vandalism targeting crucial public infrastructure, resulting in significant disruptions to essential services and impacting the lives of residents. In response, a joint security task force, comprising the FCT Police Command, the Military, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, launched a series of operations to apprehend the culprits and recover stolen assets. Their efforts culminated in the arrest of 31 suspected vandals and the retrieval of public infrastructure valued at over one billion naira.
The recovered items, which provide a stark illustration of the scale of the vandalism, included a vast array of electrical components, confirming the source of the persistent power outages plaguing communities across the FCT. Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) officials, upon inspecting the recovered materials, verified that they were indeed vandalised from various electricity stations, directly contributing to the widespread blackouts experienced in areas such as Dawaki, Mpape, Nyanya, Karu, and their surrounding communities. The sheer volume of stolen cables and other electrical components underscores the severity of the problem and the significant financial implications for both the AEDC and the affected residents.
Beyond the electrical infrastructure, the task force also recovered a multitude of other stolen public assets, highlighting the indiscriminate nature of the vandalism. Among the recovered items were 115 manhole and drainage covers, crucial for road safety and sanitation; five motorcycles, likely used in the commission of the crimes or as stolen property themselves; stripped parts of electric transformers, further compounding the power supply issues; industrial scaffoldings, potentially pilfered from construction sites; bundles of armoured and insulated cables, demonstrating the targeted nature of some of the thefts; government-installed barbed wire, indicating a disregard for public safety; copper wires, a valuable commodity often targeted by thieves; 29 industrial and solar batteries, suggesting a wider network of criminal activity; and a range of other miscellaneous items, all pointing to the pervasive nature of the vandalism.
The joint security operation, spearheaded by FCT Commissioner of Police, Tunji Disu, adopted a multi-pronged approach to tackle the issue. Recognizing the role of scrap yards, often referred to as “Pantakers,” in the disposal of stolen goods, the task force conducted targeted raids on these establishments, as well as on known scavengers’ colonies. These locations often serve as hubs for dismantling stolen infrastructure and selling the components, perpetuating the cycle of vandalism. The raids proved successful, leading to the recovery of a substantial amount of stolen materials and providing valuable intelligence on the criminal networks involved.
The raids, extending beyond the FCT into neighboring Niger State, yielded significant results. On January 24th, raids in Zuba (Abuja) and Diko (Niger State) uncovered vehicle documents with questionable ownership, fake Mercedes-Benz chassis numbers, industrial solar batteries, solar panels, and large sacks of stolen armoured cables. The discovery of fake chassis numbers suggests a potential link to car theft and a sophisticated criminal operation. Subsequent raids in Diko on January 26th uncovered similar stolen infrastructure, further highlighting the interstate nature of the criminal activities. On January 28th, the operation focused on reclaiming public infrastructure by demolishing illegal structures along the road corridor in Dape Village. Finally, on January 29th, a raid on a “Pantaker” in Dei-Dei ‘B’ resulted in the recovery of stolen government-installed barbed wire.
The swift action by the joint security task force has already resulted in legal proceedings against 16 of the apprehended suspects. They have been charged with criminal conspiracy and mischief by damaging public infrastructure, underscoring the authorities’ commitment to holding perpetrators accountable. The named suspects are: Abubakar Adamu, Emmanuel Eze, Emeka Eziekel, Ahmad Suleiman, Dennis Chiagozie, Ismail Usman, Victor Ezeokoye, Izundu Fidelis, Alex Eddy, Jonathan Obi, Simon Samuel, Mubarak Lawal, Okafor Ekene, Usman Lawal, Shuaibu Yahaya, and James Edu. The ongoing investigation is expected to lead to further arrests and prosecutions.
Commissioner Disu emphasized that this operation is not an isolated incident but rather a sustained effort to combat vandalism and safeguard critical infrastructure within the FCT and its surrounding areas. He issued a stern warning to criminal elements, declaring that security forces will intensify their efforts to dismantle the networks involved in these destructive activities, ensuring the protection of public utilities and the well-being of residents. The commitment expressed by the authorities signals a determined stance against vandalism and provides reassurance to the public that concrete steps are being taken to address this pressing issue. The collaborative nature of the operation, involving multiple security agencies, also demonstrates a unified front against this criminal activity.
