Police recover N1bn stolen goods, nab 31 suspects in Abuja

The police command in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has arrested 31 individuals and recovered stolen items worth over N1 billion in Abuja.

At a press briefing on Friday, Commissioner of Police Olatunji Disu confirmed that 16 of the suspects had been charged in court for criminal conspiracy and damaging public infrastructure, such as roads, electrical installations, and navigable channels.

Disu highlighted that under Section 332 of the Penal Code, those charged could face life imprisonment, fines, or both.

Among the recovered items were 115 manhole and drainage covers, five motorcycles, dismantled electrical transformer parts, industrial scaffolding, bundles of armored and insulated cables, as well as copper and fiber optic wires.

Additionally, 29 solar and industrial batteries, solar panels, security doors, 75 bags of cement, and three gas cylinders were seized.

These recoveries resulted from the launch of the “Operation Sweep” initiative, a joint effort involving the police and other security agencies in the FCT. The operation, which began on January 16, targets the vandalism and illegal sale of infrastructure materials to unauthorized buyers.

Disu explained that the operation had led to raids on major “pantaker” markets, including Dei-Dei, Kabusa, Zuba, Mpape, Jabi, and Nyanya, where stolen goods were being sold.

As part of efforts to curb vandalism, the Abuja Markets Management Limited (AMML), under the FCT Minister’s directive, has ordered market operators to undergo profiling and registration. Disu stressed that the activities of scavengers in the FCT remain banned.

The CP commended the collaboration of other security agencies in the ongoing operation, acknowledging their crucial support in maintaining law and order in the capital.