The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has uncovered a group of suspected vandals accused of stealing critical public infrastructure across Abuja, saying their activities have caused power outages, road accidents and posed serious risks to residents.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, the FCT Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, said the command had stepped up efforts to tackle the growing menace of infrastructure vandalism, describing it as both economic sabotage and a threat to public safety.
According to him, a coordinated police operation led to the arrest of five suspects identified as:
- Godwin Aja
- Mustapha Nasiru
- Ibrahim Garba
- Abdulrasheed Sale
- Dabarani Mujitafa
Sanusi said the suspects were allegedly involved in stealing drainage covers, solar street lights, armoured high-voltage electricity cables and internet communication cables worth millions of naira.
He explained that the theft of these facilities has left many communities in darkness, disrupted electricity supply and exposed residents to unnecessary danger.
“The vandalism of public infrastructure has caused untold hardship for residents. Apart from the financial losses, stolen drainage covers have led to accidents, while damaged street lights have increased insecurity in affected areas,” he said.
The police boss revealed that the operation covered several parts of the capital, including Maitama, Garki, Durumi, Jabi, Apo Legislative Quarters, Lugbe and Nyanya, where various stolen items were recovered.
He also issued a strong warning to scrap dealers and anyone buying stolen public property, saying they would face the full weight of the law.
“We are coming after everyone involved in this criminal chain, from those stealing public assets to those buying, receiving or helping to dispose of them. Anyone found aiding these crimes will be treated as an accomplice,” Sanusi warned.
He added that investigations were ongoing to identify other members of the network involved in the theft and sale of government property.
The recovered items will be handed over to the Director of Facility Maintenance at the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) for repairs and reinstallation so they can be returned to public use.
