By Daniel Tyokua
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has banned scavenging and pantaker market operators over persistent vandalisation of public infrastructure in the nation’s capital.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike gave the order at the end of the first Security Council meeting of 2025, held in Abuja on Monday.
He said the closure of the markets would be enforced for two weeks, to enable the administration profile operators and ensure that only legitimate businesses are allowed to operate.
The minister added that scavenging activities have similarly been restricted to designated dump sites outside the FCT city centres and the suburbs.
“We are shutting down Pantaker markets in the FCT for two weeks starting tomorrow to conduct proper profiling.
Scavengers, too, must now limit their activities to dump sites. They have no business in the city centre or residential areas,” he said.
Represented by the FCT Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, the minister announced that individuals caught vandalising public infrastructure, in the FCT, would henceforth face charges of economic sabotage, to address the increasing threat posed by such activities.
He emphasised the need for stricter penalties, noting that lenient punishments have allowed vandals to continue their activities.
“Many of these criminals are fined as little as ₦2,000 or given 24 strokes of the cane. This does nothing deter them. Going forward, we will charge them with economic sabotage and, in severe cases, attempted murder or murder,” he said.
He highlighted the dangers posed by vandalism, such as the removal of manhole covers, which often lead to fatal accidents.
“These acts are enough to kill residents of the Federal Capital Territory. Imagine driving at night and falling into an open manhole.
This is not just about infrastructure—it’s about lives,” CP Disu stated.
The minister urged residents to view public infrastructure as shared property and report suspicious activities.
“If you see something, say something. Let’s join hands to protect what belongs to all of us,” he added.
Addressing the persistent threat of “One Chance” robbery, “ji revealed that the police made significant progress in 2024 by recovering 21 operational vehicles used by the criminals.
“Most of these vehicles were fully tinted, making it difficult for victims to seek help. We will continue with the intelligence-driven patrols and strategies that worked last year to reduce these crimes,” he said.
He explained that the criminals’ activities are treated as armed robbery and, in some cases, kidnapping under the law.
