FCT police arrest 50 suspects over stolen manhole covers, recover exhibits

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested 50 individuals connected to the theft of manhole covers and other public infrastructure in Abuja.

The operation, carried out on Sunday, January 5, 2025, targeted hotspots, including Kabusa Pantaker Market, Garki, Mabushi, and Wuse.

During the raid, law enforcement recovered 25 manhole covers, three vehicles, vandalized solar streetlights, galvanized rods used in flyover construction, and various tools utilized in the criminal activities.

The police revealed that the suspects are part of a larger network involved in stealing and selling public infrastructure to scrap dealers. “This criminal activity creates hazards on roads and walkways, endangering public safety and undermining the integrity of public infrastructure,” the command stated.

The suspects arrested include:
Bashir Usman, Shaibu Ibrahim, Sani Isah, Ibrahim Hassan, Mustapha Hassan, Awal Nawan, Umar Aliyu, Auta Umar, Simon Clement, Datti Ibrahim, Mohammed Salim, Ibrahim Ibrahim, Ifeanyi-Chukwu Emmanuel, Abba Ismail, Najib Abdul, Muhammed Lawal, Rabiu Ibrahim, Adamu Suleiman, Abdulkarim Abdullahi, Haruna Nasiru, Abdul Nai’ja, Josua Steven, Livinus Steven, Ismail Abdullahi, Munir Sada, Ibrahim Yahaya, Yahaya Musa, Dahiru Nasiru, Abdullahi Muhammed, Monday Barnabas, Hamisu Iman, Promise Abanonum, Ehieze Emeka, Ehieze Justice, Mohammed Inusa, Tijanni Suleiman, Promise James, Haruna Auwalu, Ayuba Danjuma, Suleiman Abu, Nafiu Ahmmed, Kamalu Junaidu, Zaradeen Yakubu, Abdulhadi Adam, Mohammed Ibrahim, Chukwu Emmanuel, Douglas Yahaya, Mohammed Lawal, Auwal Musa, and Abubakar Kabiru.

The FCT Police Command assured the public that thorough investigations are ongoing to dismantle the criminal network and bring the culprits to justice.