By Eunice Orike
Commissioner of Police, FCT Police Command, Olatunji Disu, has announced a ban on the activities of all pantekas for two weeks to profile and ensure only legitimate operators work in Panteka.
The CP made this resolution during the first Security Council meeting of 2025, stating that scavenging has been banned in the Federal Capital Territory, especially in the city center. All security agencies have been tasked with enforcing this order.
According to him, “They will be banned for two weeks, effective tomorrow, and we will profile them. At the same time, scavenging has been banned in the Federal Capital Territory, especially in city centers. Their activities will be limited to dump sites. All security agencies have been tasked with ensuring this order is enforced.”
Disu also disclosed that the FCT Police Command had confiscated 25 operational vehicles used by ‘One Chance’ kidnappers. The police will embark on patrols as part of their strategies for the year and charge those arrested to court.
The CP addressed “one chance” crimes, similar to robbery and kidnapping. Despite the lack of specific penalties for these crimes, many individuals have been arrested, and 21 vehicles have been recovered. The police have successfully removed 25 operational vehicles from circulation.
To combat these crimes, the CP said the police will employ the same strategies used last year, including patrols, intelligence gathering, and charging those arrested.
“We have succeeded in removing 25 of their operational vehicles from circulation. We noticed that many of them were coming from other states, moving into the Federal Capital Territory every day as if they were doing legitimate work.”
Furthermore, the CP explained that there will be a major crackdown on vandalism in the Federal Capital Territory. Individuals caught vandalizing public infrastructure will face strict penalties, as lenient punishments have failed to deter these criminals.
According to him, previously, vandals were fined as little as ₦2,000 or given 24 strokes of the cane. However, the CP emphasized that these punishments were ineffective. Going forward, vandals will be charged with economic sabotage, and in severe cases, attempted murder or murder.
The CP highlighted the dangers posed by vandalism, such as the removal of manhole covers, which can lead to fatal accidents.
He urged residents to view public infrastructure as shared property and report suspicious activities, emphasizing community involvement in preventing vandalism.
“If you see something, say something. Let’s join hands to protect what belongs to all of us.”
The CP also assured that the police are working to resolve the Bwari bomb blast case.
“We are doing everything possible to unravel the matter. When the time is right, I will provide an update on our findings”, he said.
