The Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory, Tunji Disu, has warned scavengers, popularly known as Baba Bola, to desist from destroying government infrastructure or face the full wrath of the law.
In addition to targeting residents’ properties made of iron, scavengers have damaged many streetlights and removed manholes, among other government assets across the nation’s capital.
During an unannounced visit to scavengers’ colonies in the FCT on Wednesday, Disu warned market leaders that anyone aiding scavengers in destroying government infrastructure, either by buying or selling stolen materials, would not be spared.
He said, “I have just resumed and have had briefing after briefing by officers and the management team. In every briefing, everyone mentioned the ‘pantakers’ and the ‘Baba Bolas.’ They said if we can checkmate them, maybe we’ll be able to bring down crime. We have started working on it by coming here to see what they sell.
“Destroying government infrastructure is sabotage. Anyone arrested will face the full wrath of the law. We have started collaborating with our sister agencies, and we are all in agreement to ensure that this is brought to an end. It won’t be business as usual. Those who want to sabotage government infrastructure and steal properties—anything made of iron or wires belonging to individuals—they will have us to contend with.”
The Chairman of the Gwarinpa Pantaker Association, Bashir Lawal, promised to cooperate with the new Commissioner of Police, as he pledged to report any of his members with questionable behaviour to the police.
On October 19, 2024, the command denied the alleged arrest and unlawful detention of a minor by officers from the Kubwa Police Division.
A statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, noted that reports circulating on social media about officers of the command arresting and unlawfully detaining a minor are misleading.
According to the spokesperson, the command only obeyed a court order and acted within the ambit of the law.