The Federal Capital Territory Commissioner of Police, CP Tuni Disu, has announced that individuals arrested for vandalizing manholes and public property in Abuja will now face charges of economic sabotage and, where applicable, attempted murder.
This declaration followed a security council meeting with the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, on Monday.
Disu lamented the lenient punishments previously given to vandals, which have enabled repeat offenses. He stated that such actions, like removing manholes, pose significant risks to public safety, including potential fatalities from accidents caused by the uncovered holes.
“Everybody arrested for vandalizing public infrastructure will be charged to court for economic sabotage. In cases where their actions could cause death, we will also charge them with attempted murder or murder,” Disu declared.
The CP highlighted that past penalties, such as fines as low as ₦2,000 or community service, have been insufficient, leading to the recycling of offenders.
Ban on Scavengers and Profiling Measures
To curb vandalism, Disu announced a two-week ban on scavenging activities in the FCT, particularly in city centers. Only scavenging at designated dumpsites will be permitted during this period. The ban will also allow security agencies to profile those involved in such activities.
“All security agencies have been tasked with ensuring that this ban is strictly enforced, starting tomorrow,” Disu added.
Crackdown on ‘One Chance’ Operators
The Commissioner also revealed progress in tackling “One Chance” kidnappers, with 25 operational vehicles used by the criminals confiscated. He noted that many of the vehicles were fully tinted, complicating efforts to detect victims in distress.
Moving forward, the FCT Police Command plans to intensify patrols and leverage intelligence to apprehend offenders. “We will continue the strategies that yielded successes last year and ensure those arrested are properly charged to court,” Disu emphasized.
Public Safety Measures
The enhanced measures are part of the FCT Police Command’s strategy to improve public safety and deter criminal activities in Abuja. Residents are urged to cooperate with the police and report suspicious activities to aid in maintaining security.
