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The Federal Capital Territory Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has arrested 12 suspects for engaging in scavenging activities despite a ban imposed by the FCT Administration.
The arrests, made at different locations across the capital, were part of efforts to curb vandalism and theft in Abuja, according to a statement by the command’s spokesperson, Monica Ojobi, on Tuesday.
“In continuation of the corps’ relentless efforts against the menace of vandalism and theft bedevilling the FCT, and in line with directives from the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to ban the activities of scavengers, the NSCDC has arrested 12 suspects at different locations across the capital city,” the statement read.
The FCT Commandant of the NSCDC, Olusola Odumosu, said the crackdown aligns with the government’s commitment to protecting critical national assets and ensuring residents’ safety.
Odumosu noted that scavengers had been linked to crimes such as theft of public infrastructure, including rail tracks, streetlight poles, manhole covers, and armored cables, which disrupt essential services and pose security risks.
He added that the corps was working to regulate activities at the Pantaker scrap market in Abuja, with profiling exercises underway to ensure only genuine and certified dealers operate within the market.
Odumosu said, “I want to remind residents of Abuja that the ban on scavenging in the FCT remains sacrosanct, and I am determined to ensure that the ugly trend of vandalism and theft perpetrated by this group of people is brought to an end in the city of Abuja and its suburbs.
“Anyone found selling stolen government property like rail tracks, streetlight poles and panels, manhole covers, armored cables, and the like will be arrested, prosecuted, and their businesses permanently shut down.”
Residents were urged to report any scavengers spotted in their communities to the nearest security outfit, with authorities emphasising that the ban remains in force and enforcement measures will continue.
