50 persons suspected to be involved in the theft of manhole covers in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have been arrested by the Police Command following a coordinated raid on the Kabusa Pantaker Market
Penpushing reports that said the Federal Capital Police Command made this known on it its X handle. adding that it also recovered three vehicles, vandalised solar street lights, galvanised rods used in the construction of flyovers.
The suspects 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, Ifeanyi-Chukwu Emmanuel, Abba Ismail, Najib Abdul, Muhammed Lawal, Rabiu Ibrahim, Adamu Suleiman, Abdulkarim Abdullahi and Haruna Nasiru.
Penpushing further reports that other are Abdul Nai’ja, Josua Steven, Livinus Steven, Ismail Abdullahi, Munir Sada, Ibrahim Yahaya, Yahaya Musa, Dahiru Nasiru, Abdullahi Muhammed, Monday Barnabas, Hamisu Iman, Promise Abanonum, Ehieze Emeka, Ehieze Justice, Mohammed Inusa, Tijanni Suleiman, and Promise James.
The other suspects are Haruna Auwalu, Ayuba Danjuma, Suleiman Abu, Nafiu Ahmmed, Kamalu Junaidu, Zaradeen Yakubu, Abdulhadi Adam, Mohammed Ibrahim, Chukwu Emmanuel, Douglas Yahaya, Mohammed Lawal, Auwal Musa and Abubakar Kabiru
‘Investigations have revealed that these individuals operate as part of a larger network, selling stolen manhole covers 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 statement read
Penpushing also reports that police added that the operation equally led to the recovery of three vehicles, vandalised solar street lights, galvanised rods used in the construction of flyovers, and various tools allegedly employed in the destruction of public infrastructure.
The police statement stated that the raid extended to several scrap metal hubs in Kabusa, Garki, Mabushi, and Wuse, as the Federal Territory Capital (FCT) Nyesom Wike, in a statement on Monday described the theft of the manhole covers as a significant threat to public safety and a strain on government resources.
Penpushing reports that Wike in the statement issued by his media aide, Lere Olayinka declared it is unacceptable that amenities provided for the use of Nigerians are being stolen and sold, endangering lives and wasting funds meant for development.
The Minister pointed out that the development could cause many accidents for unsuspecting motorists and pedestrians, and lamented the financial burden caused by such thefts, adding that funds meant for public development are being diverted to replace stolen infrastructure.
Penpushing further reports that the statement stated that the Minister commended the man who recorded the viral video, calling his actions a demonstration of patriotism, describing his effort as a demonstration of patriotism that the country desired
‘The FCT Minister thanked Nigerians, especially the man who took his time to record the video that went viral, describing his effort as a demonstration of patriotism that the country desired,” the statement said.
Penpushing also reports that the Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Richard Dauda, earlier in a statement condemned the theft, vowing to take decisive action on the matter.
The Executive Secretary explained that the stolen covers were specifically designed to withstand heavy vehicular traffic and are crucial for the proper functioning of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) drainage system.
“It is unfortunate that we continue to face this challenge. Despite our efforts to replace these covers, they are repeatedly stolen. This is primarily a security issue, and the FCTA administration will take decisive action to curb vandalism within the city’, he said
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