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SECURITY COMMITTEE MEETING: VANDALS OF PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE TO BE CHARGED WITH ECONOMIC SABOTAGE

FCT Minister, Barr Ezenwo Nyesom Wike during the FCT Security Committee meeting in Abuja on Monday

1.   Henceforth, vandals arrested for destroying public infrastructure within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will be charged to court for economic sabotage.

2.   This was one of the outcomes of the first security meeting for 2025, held in Abuja on Monday, January 13, 2025 and chaired by the FCT Minister Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike.

3.   Addressing journalists shortly after the meeting, the FCT Police Commissioner, Olatunji Disu, emphasized the severe consequences for those involved in vandalizing public infrastructure, stating that, “Everybody arrested for vandalizing public infrastructure will be charged to court. Not only will they be charged to court, they will be charged to court for economic sabotage.”

4.   CP Disu highlighted the dangers of such acts of vandalism, stating that they pose a significant threat to the lives of FCT residents. He said, that removing manholes, creates serious road hazards, potentially leading to fatal accidents.

5.   He also stressed the inadequacy of previous punishments for vandals, such as community service and minor fines, which he described as ineffective and “recycling these criminals”. He warned that charges could include attempted murder or murder in addition to economic sabotage.

Commodore UVC Ajulu, Defence Headquarters Garrison, Tunji Disu, FCT CP, Brig. Gen. Adebisi Onasanya, Commander, Guards Brigade shortly after the FCT Security Committee meeting in Abuja on Monday

6.   The Police Commissioner said, “We have noticed that whenever we charge them to court, the punishments given to them are so minute that we notice that we have been recycling these criminals.

7.   “Most of the time they get community service or they get 24 strokes of the cane and at times they get fined for 2,000, 5,000 Naira. So we noticed that we have been recycling these criminals.

8.   “The activities of the vandals are enough to kill residents of the Federal Capital Territory, because they remove all these manholes and while driving at night, you may not know that they have been removed and is capable of causing death. So they will be charged for economic sabotage and, if possible, attempted murder or murder”.

9.   The Police Commissioner also announced the committee’s decision to ban activities at all panteka markets (scrap metal and second-hand goods market) within the FCT for two weeks, allowing security agencies to profile their operators.

10. Reiterating an existing ban on the activities of scavengers in the city, the CP said     “Scavenging activities are restricted to designated dump sites,” adding that all security agencies have been instructed to enforce the ban.

12.  While emphasizing the importance of community involvement in protecting public infrastructure, the CP urged residents to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the authorities.  He said every citizen has a role to play in protecting the community, adding “If you see anything, say something,”

13.  Addressing the issue of ‘one-chance’ robberies, the Police Commissioner revealed that reports indicate that many of the criminals originate from other states but operate within the FCT, and given their serious nature, are treated as armed robbery and kidnapping.  

14.  The Police Commissioner further acknowledged ongoing efforts to combat the scourge of “one chance,” highlighting the successful recovery of 25 vehicles used by the criminal gangs. 

15. Speaking on the recent bomb blast at an Islamic school in Biyazhin, Kubwa, CP Disu stated that investigations were ongoing and promised to provide further updates at an appropriate time.

ANTHONY OGUNLEYE

DIRECTOR OF PRESS

(OFFICE OF THE HON. MINISTER)

13/01/2025