The Federal Capital Territory Command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps on Friday presented 36 scavengers arrested across Abuja for alleged involvement in criminal acts, including vandalism and theft of public assets.
Speaking to journalists, the FCT Commandant, Olusola Odumosu, explained that the suspects were apprehended in various locations within the city and its outskirts as part of a larger operation targeting scavengers, locally referred to as Baba Nbola.
The crackdown followed instructions from FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, who recently banned scavenging in the territory and temporarily halted commercial activities in Pantaker Markets for two weeks.
“These individuals were arrested for engaging in criminal acts under the guise of scavenging,” Odumosu said. “They vandalise manhole covers, streetlights, solar panels, and other public infrastructure to sell as scrap, causing significant damage to the city’s infrastructure.”
The Commandant further revealed that the suspects were linked to other crimes, including robbery and theft of household items.
Among the recovered items were four daggers, three jack knives, chisels, iron rods, narcotics, codeine syrup, and wraps of cannabis.
Odumosu highlighted the concerning role of some scavengers in aiding criminal activities.
“The most vital is that many of them work as informants for armed robbers, kidnappers, hired assassins, terrorists, bandits, and all sorts of criminal gangs. Many families have fallen victim to kidnapping, abduction for ransom, murder, assassination, and the like because they give information about your family, the number of children you have, the types of cars you drive, where you work, and by extension, keeping tabs on your movement.”
He emphasized the risks posed by the profiling methods used by some scavengers.
“They also assess and profile you through the kind of household waste products you dispose of, which in most cases reveals your status and lifestyles. Unfortunately, and in most cases, many of us perceive these miscreants and criminals as ordinary innocent, poor Nigerians, hustling for their daily bread so they move about unchecked and unquestioned by anyone. Some of us even sympathize with them, by extending alms to them, whereas, they are responsible for the various crimes happening around you.”
Residents were urged to support security agencies by reporting any suspicious activities.
Odumosu stressed the FCT Administration’s firm stance on ending scavenging in Abuja and warned of legal consequences for violators.
“Let me reiterate that the activities of scavengers, otherwise known as Baba Nbola, have been banned in the city center and the suburbs both during the day and at night. They have been restricted to the various dump sites where all the household refuse they wander around for are deposited by the waste management authority,” he stated.
He also appealed to the public to manage their waste properly and avoid engaging scavengers.
“The public is hereby advised to dispose of their refuse properly and stop patronizing the Baba Nbolas for the sake of their own safety and that of their family members. They can also do well by giving us relevant information about any suspicious movements or activities of these criminal scavengers which have been restricted to the various dump sites alone,” he added.
The Commandant reaffirmed the commitment of security operatives to eliminate criminal elements and ensure peace in the FCT.
He disclosed that the suspects are currently under investigation and assured that due legal procedures would be observed in their prosecution.
