.Recovers abandoned day-old baby
JONAS EZIEKE and FAVOUR ISHEMBER , Abuja
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested 50 suspects for vandalism and theft of manhole covers within the territory.
The suspects were apprehended at various hotspots in Kabusa, Garki, Mabushi, and Wuse areas of the, FCT.
The police recovered several items, including 25 galvanized manhole covers,3 vehicles,vandalized solar streetlights,Galvanized rods used in flyover construction.
Other items recoverd from the vandals includes Tools used in vandalizing government installations,and several other exhibits, such as solar panels, diesel barrels, and pumping machines.
According to FCT Police Commissioner Olatunji Disu, investigations revealed that the suspects operated as part of a larger network, selling stolen manhole covers to scrap dealers.
“Investigations have revealed that these individuals operate as part of a larger network, selling stolen manhole covers to scrap dealers. This criminal activity endangers the lives of the general public by creating hazards on roads and walkways while undermining the integrity of public infrastructure. Below is a detailed breakdown of the suspects arrested and exhibits recovered: 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.
“Others are: 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.
“EXHIBITS RECOVERED: Twenty-five (25) galvanized manhole covers; Five (5) solar street lights; Several galvanized poles used in the construction of flyovers; Fifteen (15) street light poles cut into smaller pieces; Several rolls of high voltage AEDC cables; Two locally made pistols; Two live cartridges; One sharp knife; Thirty (30) tubes of triple sub glue; Several charms; Thirteen (13) large solar panels; Seven (7) barrels of diesel suspected to have been stolen from network masts; One (1) Volkswagen sporter bus with Reg. No. BJK 592 XA reconstructed into a diesel tanker.
“Also one Toyota Carina II vehicle with Reg. No. RBC 312 JL Several iron rebar rods; Nine (9) car tire rims; One (1) fire extinguisher; Eleven (11) plasma TV sets; Several decoders and remotes; Thirteen (13) cement bags; Two reinforced iron doors; Three (3) pumping machines suspected to be used in extracting diesel; Two (2) car batteries; One photo frame; One (1) pack of tiles; Sixteen (16) plastic chairs; Three (3) generators; One (1) aluminum ladder; One (1) wheel barrow; One (1) roll of roofing sheets; Two (2) gas cylinders; One (1) indoor and outdoor AC Unit; sumo water pumpspump and Several iron cutting tools
“The diversity and volume of recovered items highlight the extensive and organized nature of these syndicates, whose activities have caused significant harm to public infrastructure projects and services in the FCT.”
“I want to emphasise that the FCT Police Command and our sister security agencies operate a zero-tolerance policy toward acts of vandalism and theft that undermine public infrastructure and safety. This achievement underscores our unwavering commitment to protecting the critical infrastructure of the Federal Capital Territory. We will continue to ensure that all those responsible for these criminal acts are brought to justice. The kind of these enclaves will continue,” the CP added.
This criminal activity poses significant risks to public safety and undermines the integrity of public infrastructure.
The police have identified the suspects and recovered a wide range of items, highlighting the extensive and organized nature of these syndicates.
The FCT Police Command and sister security agencies operate a zero-tolerance policy toward acts of vandalism and theft, and will continue to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
However, The FCT Police Command informs Nigerians of the recovery of a day-old baby abandoned along a bush path near Crush Rock, behind an uncompleted Red Bricks Market, Mpape.
The Command’s Spokesperson SP Josephine Adeh disclosed this in a statement issued to newsmen on Sunday.
On 3rd January 2025, at about 10:00 AM, Police operatives from Mpape Division’s Juvenile and Women Care Section (JWC) responded to a distress call and found the baby wrapped in a cloth. The child was promptly rescued and taken to Mpape Primary Health Care Center, where medical evaluation confirmed the baby is in stable condition.
Following a tip off from the community, the baby’s mother, Khadija Ali, was arrested. During interrogation, she confessed to abandoning the baby, citing her inability to care for the child following her husband’s abandonment.
The FCT Police Command vehemently condemns this act of child abandonment and reassures the public of its commitment to protecting the most vulnerable members of society. The rescued baby will be handed over to the Department of Social Welfare for proper care, while the mother will face prosecution according to the provisions of sections 14 and 16 of the Child Rights Act (CRA) 2003 upon the conclusion of investigations.
The Command appreciates the cooperation and support of members of the public in this matter and calls on all residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities or emergencies via the Commands emergency lines: 08061581938, 08032003913, 08028940883, CRU: 08107314192, PCB: 09022222352.
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