By Adetokunbo FAKEYE
Nigeria – The Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Police Command and other security agencies in operation war against criminality in the nation’s capital arrested thirty-one suspects and recovered stolen goods worth one billion naira (N1bn) from their receivers.
The FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, who disclosed this on Friday, 31st January, 2025, at press briefing revealed that, members of the task force who carried out the operations include the Nigeria Police, the Nigeria Army, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Department of State Services DSS, Immigration, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigeria Correctional Service (NCS), FCT Social Development Secretariat (SDS), Abuja Environmental Protection Agency, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Abuja Development Control (ADC).
He revealed that notable markets raided by the joint task force, include Dei-Dei Panteker,Kabusa Panteker, Dei-Dei Outward Lane Panteker, Zuba Panteka, Mpape Panteka, Jabi Panteka and Nyanya Panteka.
According to him, the invidious criminal activity of scavenging not only poses a significant threat to public safety but also disrupts the provision of essential amenities and jeopardizes critical infrastructure.
Some items recovered by the team as listed by CP Disu include, 115 units of manhole with the inscription ‘Not for Sale’, five motorcycles, huge volume of cables, cut to size electric-transfromer, bundles of cables, a huge volume of fiber optic materials, copper wires and rubber insulators.
Other items recovered were 12 large-size solar panels, large quantities of iron rods (22 mm rods), documents related to vehicles with unverifiable ownership, fake, fabricated Mercedes Benz chassis numbers, industrial solar batteries, solar panels, weighing scales and vehicle rims among others.
Below is the full briefing of CP Olatunji Rilwan Disu:
PRESS BRIEFING BY FCT POLICE COMMAND ON ARREST OF SUSPECTS INVOLVED IN VANDALISM AND THEFT OF PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE WORTH OVER ₦1 BILLION, JANUARY 31, 2025
Ladies and gentlemen of the press,
We are pleased to highlight the outstanding accomplishments in our relentless effort
against the scourge of vandalism plaguing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). This
insidious criminal activity not only undermines the very fabric of our society but also poses significant threats to public safety, disrupts the provision of essential amenities, and jeopardises the integrity of our critical infrastructure.
Through the collective efforts of all security agencies, we have made substantial strides
in combating this menace, and today’s achievements serve as a testament to our
unwavering commitment to safeguarding the well-being of our citizens and protecting
the vital assets that underpin our nation’s prosperity.
In a bold move to tackle the menace of vandalism and theft of public infrastructure, on January 13, 2025, the Honorable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Bar. Nyesom Wike, CON, convened a crucial FCT Core-Security Committee Meeting with heads of security agencies.
This strategic gathering culminated in a joint task force with a directive ordering the immediate two-week closure of all scrap yards, commonly referred to as Pantaker markets, within the FCT.
The temporary closure of these markets was to dismantle the illicit trade in stolen
infrastructure and scrap metals, protecting vital public assets and enhancing citizen
safety.
THE LAUNCH OF “OPERATION SWEEP” JOINT TASK FORCE
In alignment with this directive, the FCT Police Command and other sister security
agencies initiated “Operation Sweep”, a decisive enforcement action targeting the
vandalisation, destruction, and illegal sale of critical infrastructure to Pantaker operators and other illicit buyers.
A multi-agency task force, comprising sister security agencies within the Federal Capital
Territory (FCT), launched a series of targeted operations aimed at dismantling the illicit trade in stolen infrastructure and scrap metals.
The task force includes:
– Nigerian Police
– Nigerian Army
– Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC)
– Department of State Service (DSS)
– Immigration
– Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC)
– Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS)
– FCT Social Development Secretariat (SDS)
– Abuja Environmental Protection Agency
– National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)
– Abuja Development Control (ADC)
These coordinated operations focused on scrap yards, commonly known as Panteka
markets, where scavengers, referred to as Baban Bola, engage in criminal activities.
The task force aimed to displace, evacuate, and demolish makeshift shanties and illegal
structures, thereby disrupting the illicit trade and ensuring public safety.
COMMENCEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND FLOW OF WORK:
The ongoing intensive enforcement operation, conducted both day and night,
commenced on Thursday, January 16, 2025, and has yielded significant results so far.
Several major Pantaker markets were raided, including;
● Dei-Dei Panteka
● Kabusa Panteka
● Dei-Dei Outward Lane Panteka
● Zuba Panteka
● Mpape Panteka
● Jabi Panteka ● Nyanya Panteka
Below is a detailed breakdown of the operation’s execution and the items recovered at
each location:
January 16 – Raid on Dei-Dei Building Materials/Pantaker
● Items Recovered: A large number of manhole sewage covers with the inscription
on it – “NOT FOR SALE”.
January 17 – Raid on Nyanya Pantaker
● Items Recovered: Cut-to-size electric transformer, three (3) generators, and three
(3) motorcycles.
January 18 – Raid on De Gudu Electrical Market
● Items Recovered: Huge volume of cables and fibre optic materials.
January 19 – Township Patrol and Eviction of Scavengers
● Action Taken: Conducted patrols for confidence-building and the displacement of illegal scavengers.
January 20 – Repeat Patrol at Dei-Dei Building Materials/Pantaker
● Items Recovered: Manhole covers, rubber insulators stripped from cables, and
piles of cut-to-size cables.
January 21 – Raid on Apo-Dutse Shanties/Pantakers
● Items Recovered: Large quantities of iron rods and cut-to-size 22mm rods.
● Additional Action: Demolition of illegal shanties and displacement of scavengers,
locally known as Babambola.
January 22 – Repeat Visit to Kabusa Pantaker
● Findings: No new recoveries were recorded.
January 23 – Raid on Gwarinpa Scavengers’ Shanties
● Action Taken: Demolition of illegal structures and displacement of scavengers.
January 24 – Raid on Zuba Pantaker (Abuja) & Diko Pantaker (Niger State)
● Items Recovered:
○ Documents related to vehicles with unverifiable ownership.
○ Fake, fabricated Mercedes-Benz chassis numbers.
○ Industrial solar batteries.
○ Solar panels.
○ Large quantities of sacks filled with naked armoured cables.
○ Weighing scales.
○ Vehicle rims and cut-to-size iron rods.
January 26 – Raid on Diko Pantaker (Niger State)
● Items Recovered: Similar types of stolen infrastructure as those recovered on
January 24.
January 28 – Demolition Exercise Along Road Corridor at Dape Village
● Action Taken: Illegal structures were demolished to reclaim public infrastructure.
January 29 – Raid on Dei-Dei ‘B’ Pantaker
● Items Recovered: Bundles of barbed wire installed by the government.
This comprehensive operation represents a decisive move towards eliminating
vandalism and safeguarding critical infrastructure within the FCT and neighbouring states.
ARRESTS, CHARGES AND RECOVERIES:
So far, 31 suspects have been arrested, with 16 already charged to court for;
criminal conspiracy and mischief by injury to public roads, navigable channels, and electrical installations, which are punishable by life imprisonment, a fine, or both, under Section 332 of the Penal Code”.
It also includes receiving and being in possession of stolen public property.
The suspects charged to court include:
1. Abubakar Adamu
2. Emmanuel John Eze
3. Emeka Eziekel
4. Ahmad Suleiman
5. Dennis Chiagozie
6. Ismail Usman
7. Victor Ezeokoye
8. Izundu Videlis
9. Alex Okechukwu Eddy
10. Jonathan R. Obi
11. Simon Samuel
12. .Mubarak Lawal
13. Okafor Ekene
14. Usman Lawal
15. Shuaibu Yahaya
16. James Edu.
The following exhibits were recovered during the operation:
1. 115 units of manhole covers and drainage covers.
2. Five (5) motorcycles.
3. Stripped parts of electric transformers.
4. Industrial scaffoldings.
5. Bundles of armoured and insulated cables.
6. Copper wires.
7. Fiber optic cables.
8. Twenty-nine (29) industrial/solar batteries
9. Solar panels.
10. Several other stolen infrastructure materials.
11. Seventy-five 75) bags of cement.
12. Security doors.
13.Three (03 pieces of 5kg cylinders.
14.Power generating sets.
15.Two (2) water pumping machines.
16.Ninety-five (95) cartoons of floor tiles.
17.Water board underground pipes.
18.One (1) unit of mobile air conditioner.
19.Twelve (12) large-size solar panels.
20.Three (03) iron chairs.
21.Tractor spare parts.
22.One golf vehicle with Reg. No. KUJ 236 BW carrying suspected stolen scaffolds.
23.Two (02) pieces of vehicle chassis number templates.
24. Large quantity of suspected stolen electric changeover.
AEDC IDENTIFIES STOLEN CABLES RESPONSIBLE FOR BLACKOUT IN PARTS OF FCT.
Upon recovery, the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) officials were invited to identify some of the items. They confirmed that the recovered cables and electrical components were vandalised from multiple electricity stations across the FCT.
As a direct consequence of these acts of vandalism, several areas, including Dawaki,
Mpape, Nyanya, Karu, and surrounding communities, have been plunged into total
blackout.
ESTIMATE VALUE OF ALL RECOVERED ITEMS:
The estimated value of all the recovered items exceeds one billion naira
(₦1,000,000,000).
DIRECTIVE TO PANTEKA OPERATORS
The Abuja Markets Management Limited (AMML), under the directive of the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has mandated all Pantaker market operators to report for profiling and registration as follows:
Venue: No. 2 Judah Street, Wuse Zone 6, Abuja
Date: Wednesday, February 5
Time: 3:00 PM
Key Directives:
● Ban on Scavengers: The public is reminded that scavengers remain strictly
banned within the FCT metropolis.
● Protection of Public Infrastructure: Residents are urged to consider public
infrastructure as collective property and to remain vigilant. Any attempt at
vandalism, theft or suspicious goods should be promptly reported to the NSCDC
or nearest police station.
● Market Operations and Law Enforcement: The FCT Core-Security Committee will
oversee and streamline activities within Pantaker markets across Abuja to ensure
compliance with regulations.
● Zero Tolerance for Stolen Goods: Anyone found selling, receiving, or storing
stolen government property (e.g., manhole covers, rail tracks, streetlights) will
face immediate arrest, prosecution, and permanent closure of their businesses.
Ignorance is not an excuse. Verify the origin of all goods you acquire.
Do not shield thieves or buyers of stolen goods. Cooperate with law enforcement,
or face charges as accomplices.
● This is a continuous operation, and the next phase will commence immediately.
Vandals and their patrons should take notice—there is no hiding place for
criminal activities within the FCT. The task force and other security operatives will
continue to conduct spot-checks of stalls and warehouses.
APPRECIATION
I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to all the commanders and officers of our sister agencies who have played a crucial role in this joint task force operation. Your dedication and collaboration have been instrumental in addressing the menace of vandalism in the FCT.
A special thanks to the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps
(NSCDC), Department of State Services (DSS), Immigration, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS), and the FCT Social Development
Secretariat (SDS), Abuja Environmental Protection Agency, National Drug Law
Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Abuja Development Control (ADC) for your invaluable contributions. Your commitment has been pivotal in safeguarding public infrastructure and ensuring law and order.
Your efforts are deeply appreciated, and we look forward to continued collaboration in
securing the FCT.
