The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has apprehended 12 individuals for engaging in scavenging activities in Abuja, despite the ban imposed by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Administration.
The arrests were made at various locations across the capital as part of efforts to curb vandalism and theft.
According to the FCT Command of the NSCDC, the operation was carried out following directives from the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to enforce the ban on scavenging. The authorities have linked the activities of scavengers to the theft and destruction of public infrastructure, including rail tracks, streetlight poles, manhole covers, and armored cables.
These incidents have been known to disrupt essential services and pose significant security risks to residents.
The NSCDC command in Abuja has intensified measures to ensure compliance with the ban. As part of these efforts, the corps has initiated a profiling exercise to regulate activities at the Pantaker scrap market, ensuring that only genuine and certified dealers are allowed to operate within the city.
The FCT Commandant of the NSCDC, Olusola Odumosu, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to protecting critical national assets and ensuring public safety.
He warned that individuals found dealing in stolen government property would be arrested, prosecuted, and have their businesses permanently shut down.
Residents have been urged to report any scavengers operating within their communities to security agencies, as the enforcement of the ban remains a priority for authorities in the FCT.
The NSCDC has assured that crackdowns will continue to prevent further cases of vandalism and theft in the nation’s capital.
