Police Arraign 16 For ‘ Stealing Manhole Covers, Vandalism’ In Abuja

The federal capital territory (FCT) police command have charged 16 suspects to court over allegations of vandalising government property and unlawful possession of stolen items.

The suspects appeared before a chief magistrate court in Wuse Zone 6, Abuja, on Wednesday.

A statement on Friday by Josephine Adeh, FCT police spokesperson, said the suspects were arrested during a crackdown on scrap yards in the city. 

The operation led to the recovery of stolen government assets, including manhole covers, armoured cables, and streetlights.

“This development follows an intensive crackdown on scrap yards (commonly known as Panteka), culminating in the arrest of multiple suspects and the recovery of substantial quantities of stolen and vandalized government assets, including manhole covers, armoured cables, and streetlights,” the statement read.

“The suspects arraigned are: Abubakar Adamu, Emmanuel John Eze, Emeka Ezekiel, Ahmad Suleiman, Dennis Chigozie, Ismail Usman, Victor Ezeokoye, Izundu Fidelis, Alex Okechukwu Eddy, Jonathan R. Obi, Simon Samuel, Mubarak Lawal, Okafor Ekene, Usman Lawal, Shuaibu Yahaya and James Edu.

“The arrests were the result of intelligence-led operations conducted across various locations within the FCT. Upon their arraignment, the suspects entered pleas of ‘not guilty’ and have since been remanded at the Keffi Correctional Centre, pending further proceedings.”

The case has been adjourned to January 30 for continued hearing.