Manhole Thieves To Face Attempted Murder Charges — CP Disu
…Bans Activities Of Scrap Dealers, Scavengers
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Security Council has announced stringent measures, including charging arrested suspects with economic sabotage and, in some cases, attempted murder in a bid to tackle the escalating menace of manhole cover theft in Abuja.
This was revealed on Monday by the FCT Commissioner of Police, Tunji Disu, following a high-level security meeting chaired by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
Addressing journalists after the meeting, Disu lamented that existing laws and penalties—ranging from small fines to community service—have failed to deter repeat offenders.
“The activities of these vandals pose a grave threat to residents’ lives and safety,” Disu said, noting that “Drivers at night might unknowingly fall into uncovered manholes, which can lead to fatal accidents. To address this, suspects will be charged not only for economic sabotage but also for attempted murder where applicable.”
The council also placed a two-week ban on activities of scrap dealers and second-hand goods sellers, locally known as Pantekas, to profile operators and identify legitimate businesses.
Scavenging within the FCT, especially in city centers, has also been banned, with scavengers now restricted to dump sites.
Disu stated, “From Tuesday, security agencies will enforce the closure of Pantekas to ensure only legitimate operators are allowed to resume operations after the ban.”
The FCT Security Council also addressed the growing threat of “one chance” robbery gangs. It said since the Penal Code lacks provisions specifically targeting this crime, perpetrators will now be treated as armed robbers and kidnappers.
“A lot of these criminals operate in fully tinted vehicles, making it difficult for victims to seek help. Last year, we recovered 21 vehicles used by these criminals and continue to work toward curbing their activities,” Disu explained.
The Commissioner called on residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to authorities, while stressing that vandalizing public infrastructure is an attack on shared property.
He noted that hotlines have been made available for residents to provide timely information.
On the recent explosion at an Islamiyyah school in Bwari Area Council, Disu assured the public that investigations are ongoing.
“We are committed to unraveling the cause of the incident and will provide updates at the appropriate time,” he said.
Manhole Thieves To Face Attempted Murder Charges — CP Disu is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
