The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has ordered a massive arrest of metal scavengers popularly known as “Baban bola” in Abuja.
The FCT police issued a statement containing the order on Tuesday through the spokesperson of the command, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Josephine Adeh.
The order came as a result of public complaints on the fast-rising menace of vandalism and theft of individual, private and public property to include important national infrastructure, perpetuated by miscreants who hid under the cover of metal waste scavengers.
The Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, Babaji Sunday, in the order, noted that information at the police’s disposal revealed that the activities of the miscreants spanned beyond mere scavenging, adding that they carried out other criminal ventures such as stealing, carjacking, housebreaking, arms smuggling, drug peddling, amongst other crimes.
“Consequent upon the above, the CP has directed Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) and heads of Tactical formations in the Command to work with Stakeholders within their various Areas Of Responsibility (AOR) to checkmate the activities of these prevailing criminal enterprise, arrest on sight to bring these rogue scavengers to book.
“The CP equally called for extra vigilance on the part of residents, especially areas with intense activities of scavengers, to cooperate with the Police in riding the FCT of these criminal elements. He however enjoined residents not to resort to jungle justice but to arrest and report any rogue scavenger to the nearest Police Station through the following lines: 08032003913, 08061581938, 07057337653 and 08028940883.
“The CP reassured residents of the commitment of the Command to ensuring adequate protection of lives and property in the FCT,” the statement of the police read.
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