FCT Police Arrest 50 Suspects for Vandalism and Theft of Public Infrastructure

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command, in a series of coordinated operations, has arrested 50 individuals suspected of stealing public infrastructure, including streetlights, manhole covers, and other critical items.

The arrests were carried out in collaboration with sister security agencies at hotspots in Kabusa, Garki, Mabushi, and Wuse.

The Commissioner of Police, Tunji Disu, who paraded the suspects in Abuja on Monday, revealed that the suspects were part of a well-organized network involved in vandalizing public installations and selling them to scrap dealers. Among the recovered items were 25 manhole covers, five solar streetlights, 15 streetlight poles cut into smaller pieces, several galvanized poles used for flyovers, and rolls of high-voltage AEDC cables.

Additionally, the police recovered two locally made pistols, 13 large solar panels, seven barrels of diesel believed to have been stolen from telecommunications masts, and tools used in vandalism, such as iron cutters and charms. Vehicles, including a Volkswagen Sport bus modified into a diesel tanker and a Toyota Carina II, were also seized.

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The suspects, whose identities were made public, include Bashir Usman, Shaibu Ibrahim, Sani Isah, Ibrahim Hassan, Mustapha Hassan, and Awal Nawan, among others. Police reports show that the syndicate’s operations extended to stealing essential components of infrastructure projects, highlighting the extensive damage caused by their activities.

Speaking during the parade, CP Tunji Disu condemned the rising cases of vandalism, emphasizing that the command and its sister agencies operate a zero-tolerance policy toward such crimes.

“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,” he stated.

Disu called on residents of the FCT to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the authorities. He assured the public that the police would continue to intensify efforts to protect public infrastructure and maintain safety in the nation’s capital.

This development comes at a time when the FCT administration is doubling down on efforts to curb vandalism and restore public trust in the security framework.