The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) says it has arrested 20 persons for allegedly scavenging at night in the federal capital territory (FCT), Abuja.
Olusola Odumosu, NSCDC commandant in the FCT, who paraded the suspects on Monday, said the scavengers popularly known as “Baba nbola” were arrested by operatives during a midnight patrol in different parts of the city.
He said the arrest was carried out following reports received by the command that criminals disguising as scavengers were attacking citizens during night hours.
“Scavenging at midnight is unacceptable in the FCT as intelligence reports revealed that most of the manholes, street lights and traffic lights vandalism, theft occurred at night in the FCT,’’ he said.
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“We activated routine night patrols, which proved to be highly effective with an unequivocal and resolute messages on zero tolerance for criminal activities in the FCT.
“It is important to note that these scavengers cannot be trusted, some bad elements use them as informant and this is detrimental to the peace of the society.”
Odumosu said the suspects who have undergone comprehensive interview and profiling investigation would be handed over to Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) for prosecution.
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He advised persons with no residential address in the FCT to return to their hometowns to avoid arrest.
He said the command is dedicated to safeguarding the critical national assets and infrastructure in the FCT.
He also asked for the support of organisations and communities to assist the command in its fight against vandalism and crime.
Some of the exhibits recovered from the suspects included vandalised iron parts, sacks, waste products amongst others.
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