Public Infrastructure Vandals to be Charged with Economic Sabotage, Says FCTA
Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) yesterday said individuals caught vandalising manholes and public infrastructure would now face charges of economic sabotage.
The decision was reached at the first Security Council meeting of 2025, chaired by FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
The Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, Olatunji Disu, disclosed this after the security meeting.
He noted that stricter penalties were necessary as vandals were no longer deterred by lenient punishments.
“Many of these criminals are fined as little as N2,000 or given 24 strokes of the cane. This does nothing to deter them. Going forward, we will charge them with economic sabotage and, in severe cases, attempted murder or murder,” he said.
He decried the dangers posed by people vandalising manhole covers, often leading 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,” Disu said.
The council also resolved to enforce a two-week ban on the operations of scrap metal dealers to profile operators and ensure only legitimate businesses. Scavenging activities have also been similarly restricted to designated dump sites outside the city center and suburbs.
The shutting down of scrap metal dealers will start from today to enable proper profiling.
“Scavengers, too, must now limit their activities to dump sites. They have no business in the city center or residential areas,” Disu said.
He added that criminals who use vehicles for “one chance” will be treated as armed robbers
and kidnappers under the law.
He revealed that the police in 2024 recovered 21 operational vehicles used by the criminals, with most of the vehicles fully tinted, making it difficult for victims to seek help.
The Commissioner also responded to inquiries about the bomb blast in Bwari, assuring residents that investigations were ongoing while the police were doing everything possible to unravel the matter.
