The FCT Police Command has announced a significant breakthrough in its efforts to combat vandalism and theft of public infrastructure within the territory. In a targeted operation, 50 suspects were arrested for their involvement in the theft and vandalism of manhole covers. These individuals are part of a larger network selling stolen manhole covers to scrap dealers, posing serious risks to public safety.

The police recovered an array of stolen items, including 25 manhole covers, five solar street lights, several galvanized rods used in the construction of flyovers, and a range of tools typically used in these criminal activities. The recovery also included a large quantity of other stolen goods such as diesel, car batteries, generators, and even television sets. Investigations revealed that these criminals operated across several locations in the FCT, including Kabusa, Garki, Mabushi, and Wuse, with their activities endangering lives and undermining public infrastructure.

The arrested 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-Chuckwu Emmanuel

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

Monday Barnabas

Hamisu Iman

Promise Abanonum

Ehieze Emeka

Ehieze Justice

Mohammed Inusa

Tijanni Suleiman

Promise James

Haruna Auwalu

Ayuba Danjuma

Suleiman Abu

Nafiu Ahmmed

Kamalu Junaidu

Zaradeen Yakubu

Abdulhadi Adam

Mohammed Ibrahim

Chukwu Emmanuel

Douglas Yahaya

Mohammed Lawal

Auwal Musa

Abubakar Kabiru

In addition to the manhole covers, the following items were seized: two locally made pistols, live cartridges, numerous street light poles, high voltage AEDC cables, and several charms. Police also discovered seven barrels of diesel suspected to have been stolen from network masts, and multiple other materials, ranging from iron rods to solar panels, which were likely obtained through illegal means.

A total of three vehicles were impounded, including a Volkswagen sports bus and a Toyota Carina II, both of which had been used in transporting the stolen goods. Other recovered items included iron rebar rods, cement bags, pumping machines, and a variety of household and construction equipment.

The police emphasized their commitment to cracking down on vandalism and theft, reaffirming their zero-tolerance policy toward crimes that endanger the public and damage critical infrastructure. The FCT Police Command, in collaboration with sister security agencies, vows to continue efforts to bring all responsible parties to justice and prevent further harm to public safety and infrastructure in the Federal Capital Territory.