…Recover Stolen Manhole Covers, Solar Lights, and Construction Materials
…Criminal Network Endangers Public Safety and Infrastructure
Adekola Adelani
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has apprehended 50 suspects in connection with the theft of manholes and other government installations across Abuja.
The arrests were made on Sunday, January 5, 2025, following a raid at the Kabusa Pantaker Market.
The operation, which targeted vandalism hotspots in Kabusa, Garki, Mabushi, and Wuse, led to the recovery of 25 manhole covers, three vehicles, vandalized solar streetlights, galvanized rods used in flyover construction, and various tools used for these criminal activities.
The FCT Police Command disclosed that the arrested suspects were part of a broader criminal network that sells stolen manhole covers and other materials to scrap dealers.
“This criminal activity endangers the lives of the general public by creating hazards on roads and walkways while undermining the integrity of public infrastructure,” the command stated.
The command emphasized its commitment to dismantling the network and ensuring that those responsible face the full weight of the law.
The suspects arrested include Bashir Usman, Shaibu Ibrahim, Sani Isah, Ibrahim Hassan, Mustapha Hassan, Awal Nawan, Umar Aliyu, Auta Umar, Simon Clement, Datti Ibrahim, Mohammed Salim, Ibrahim Ibrahim, and Ifeanyi-Chukwu Emmanuel.
Others are Abba Ismail, Najib Abdul, Muhammed Lawal, Rabiu Ibrahim, Adamu Suleiman, Abdulkarim Abdullahi, Haruna Nasiru, Abdul Nai’ja, Josua Steven, Livinus Steven, Ismail Abdullahi, Munir Sada, Ibrahim Yahaya, Yahaya Musa, Dahiru Nasiru, Abdullahi Muhammed, and Monday Barnabas.
Additional suspects include Hamisu Iman, Promise Abanonum, Ehieze Emeka, Ehieze Justice, Mohammed Inusa, Tijanni Suleiman, Promise James, Haruna Auwalu, Ayuba Danjuma, Suleiman Abu, Nafiu Ahmed, Kamalu Junaidu, Zaradeen Yakubu, Abdulhadi Adam, Mohammed Ibrahim, Chukwu Emmanuel, Douglas Yahaya, Mohammed Lawal, Auwal Musa, and Abubakar Kabiru.
The police highlighted the dangers posed by such thefts, which create open manholes and weaken essential infrastructure. They appealed to residents to report suspicious activities and cooperate with law enforcement efforts to curb these crimes.
The command reiterated its resolve to maintain public safety and protect critical infrastructure, assuring the public that further investigations are ongoing to identify and dismantle all elements of the criminal syndicate.
