Manhole cover vandalism: Police arrest 50 in Abuja

Abuja, Jan. 6, ’25 (TNZ) The Police Command in the Federal Capital Territory has arrested 50 suspects over the alleged theft of manhole covers on roads in Abuja.

TheNewsZenith reports that the Commissioner of Police (CP) in charge of FCT, Mr Olatunji Disu, announced the arrests at a media briefing on Monday in Abuja.

Disu said the Command in a targetted operation also led to the recovery of 25 manhole covers, three vehicles and some solar street lights.

According to the commissioner, operatives also recovered galvanised rods used in the construction of flyovers from the suspects.

He said his men carried out the operation at various notorious hotspots in Kabusa, Garki, Mabushi and Wuse areas.

The commissioner noted that investigations revealed that the suspects were operating a larger network, selling stolen manhole covers to scrap dealers.

Disu said the diversity and volume of the items recovered highlighted the extensive and organised nature of the syndicates.

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“Activities of the syndicates have caused significant harm to public infrastructure projects and services in the FCT.

“The criminal activities endanger the lives of the public by creating hazards on roads and walkways. They also undermine the integrity of public infrastructure.

“FCT Police Command and other security agencies have zero tolerance for any acts of vandalism.

“Vandalism undermines the safety of public infrastructure,” TheNewsZenith quotes him as saying.

The arrest, he noted, underscores the command’s commitment to protecting the critical infrastructure of the federal capital territory. (TNZ)