SECURITY OPERATIVES RAID FCT MARKET, RECOVER STOLEN MANHOLE COVERS

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Joint security forces in the Federal Capital Territory on Monday conducted a raid on Pantakers Market in Dei Dei, Abuja, where they recovered several stolen manhole covers, following intelligence reports.

The operation, which targeted suspected hideouts of stolen manhole covers, took place miles away from the city, specifically in the Dei Dei Saburi area, before moving into Pantakers Market.

The Special Assistant on Media to the FCT Minister Lere Olayinka disclosed this in a video on his X handle on Monday.

“The FCT – Security Men raided Pantakers Market, Dei Dei, Abuja in search of stolen Sewage Manhole Covers. What they discovered will shock you! Why are we this evil in this country like this?” Olayinka stated.

Details obtained from the video indicated that, upon reaching the market, the security team split into groups to comb the entire area, ordering shop owners to open their shops for thorough searches.

During the operation, several heavy manhole covers that had been illegally removed from various parts of the city were found and recovered.

The operation, which involved armed personnel, was aimed at ensuring the safety of the team while unarmed members conducted the search for the stolen items.

Addressing newsmen after the raid, the FCT Police Commissioner, Olatunji Disu, emphasised the continued ban on scavenging activities in the FCT and reiterated that Pantakers Market remains closed.

“We want to encourage members of the public to continue to give us wonderful information, and to continue to cooperate with us. The Pantekas remain closed. It remains closed,” he said.

Disu also confirmed that around 20 manhole covers had been recovered during the operation.

He further warned that anyone found engaging in scavenging activities in the area would face arrest and prosecution.

“The operation is still on because as we do this raid, the suspect will be profiled and investigated by the Nigerian police. And as the minister said, they are going to be prosecuted accordingly,” he added.

The police boss also urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious scavenging activities in their neighbourhoods to security agencies.

“The Pantekas remain closed. It remains closed,” he reiterated.

The raid follows ongoing efforts by authorities to clamp down on the illegal activities that have become a growing concern in the nation’s capital.