The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command has arrested 37 suspects following the ban on activities of scavengers in the FCT by the Minister of FCT, Barrister Nyesom Wike.
Parading the suspects at the FCT Command Headquarters on Friday, the Commandant, Olusola Odumosu, expressed his resolution to ensure that the ban was enforced to the letter.
The arrests, according to him, were in compliance with the enforcement of new policies of the government of regulating the pantaker markets and the outright ban on scavenging in the FCT.
Commandant Odumosu said the scavengers were dangerous elements that must be flushed out of the FCT “if crime in the territory must be abated.”
“We have realised that their real business is to vandalize and remove our road infrastructure, they rob innocent commuters and bystanders as they go about with dangerous weapons to attack and dispose of their personal belongings, especially at night,” he said.
He added that the activities of scavengers otherwise known as ‘Baba Nbola’ had been banned in the City Centre and the suburbs both during the day and at night.
“They have been restricted to the various dumb sites where all the household refuse they wander around for are deposited by the waste management authority.”
Odumosu advised the public to dispose of their refuse properly and” stop patronising ‘Baba Nbola’ for their own safety and those of their family members.
He charged them to always give relevant information about any suspicious movements or activities of “these criminal scavengers to the appropriate authorities.”
“It is imperative that citizens and residents join hands with the corps and other security agencies to flush out these dangerous elements in the FCT by chasing scavengers away.
The following exhibits were recovered from the arrested persons: Four daggers; three jack knives; two chisels; three knives; two pinches; 10 bottles of codeine syrup; 45 wraps of Indian herms; thrash bags; pieces of iron rods and narcotic drugs.
He said the suspects were currently being investigated and profiled, adding that due diligence would be followed in their prosecution.