The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has banned scavengers from operating in the Federal Capital City, Abuja.
The FCT Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, announced the ban while briefing newsmen after the FCT Security Committee Meeting in Abuja.
The Commissioner said that the scavengers were allowed to operate only on dumpsites located in the outskirts of the city and the suburbs.His words: “All security agencies have been tasked with ensuring that this order is enforced, beginning from Tuesday, January 14.
”The Police Commissioner added that the Committee also banned the operation of markets for Fairly Used Items and Scrap irons, popularly known as ‘pantaker market’ for two weeks, beginning from Tuesday across the Territory.
Disu explained that the two weeks suspension was to allow security agencies to profile the pantaker operators.This, he said, would ensure that only legitimate operators operate in Pantakers across the FCT.
“The ban on scrap metal dealers was to enable the authorities profile them and allow only who are legitimate to operate, the CP reiterated.He said: “We are shutting down pantekas for two weeks starting tomorrow (Tuesday) to conduct proper profiling.
Commenting on activities of “one-chance” operators, Disu revealed that the Nigeria Police Force recovered not less than 21 operational vehicles used by the criminals, last year.He emphasized that most of the recovered vehicles were tinted, making it difficult for “one-chance” victims to seek help; vowing the Force would continue with the intelligence-driven patrols and strategies that worked in 2024.Responding to inquiries about the last bomb blast in Bwari, the Commissioner said that investigation of the incident was ongoing.“We are doing everything possible to unravel the matter. When the time is right, I will provide an update on our findings”, he assured.He reassured FCT residents that the Police was determined to combating crimes and ensuring safety and well-being of the people.
