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NSCDC FCT COMMANDANT CALLS FOR REGULATION OF PANTAKER MARKETS
NSCDC FCT COMMANDANT CALLS FOR REGULATION OF PANTAKER MARKETS
By: Michael Mike
The Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, Dr. Olusola Odumosu has called for the regulation of Pantaker markets in the FCT.
He said this while addressing personnel of the Command during the Monday muster parade at the NSCDC FCT Command Headquarters.
Odumosu said that, it was imperative for the FCT administration to regulate Pantaker markets in the territory as intelligence gathered revealed that most vandalized items end up in pantaker markets for sale.
“With the proliferation of pantaker markets all over the city, and the suburbs, criminals have ready markets to sell vandalized metals, iron, aluminium, armoured cables, scraps and other stolen items which had increased the spate of vandalism of public properties in the FCT.
“There is a need to address pressing concerns related to the sale and purchase of second hand goods in pantaker markets which currently lacks comprehensive and diligent oversight.
“Regulation, monitoring and enforcement of compliance with government policy will help curb to a reasonable extent the cases of vandalism of infrastructure in the territory,” he said.
According to him, proper regulation will not only help to curb the excesses of criminally minded dealers who receive items from vandals of public facilities, it will also foster economic stability by ensuring that only legitimate activities and authentic products are bought or sold in the market.
“Unregulated markets for used items poses inherent risks to consumers and undermined the integrity of it’s commercial operations.
“It is imperative that we establish clear rules and guidelines to protect properties of individuals and that of the government. “
“Proper regulation has the potential to enhance marketplace accountability, and will help security agencies in identifying and bringing criminals who engage in acts of vandalism and theft to book,” Odumosu said.
Odumosu said that the recent completion of projects and the successful commissioning of various infrastructure by the FCT Minister, Chief (Barr) Nyesom Wike calls for improved service and a renewal of strategy against destruction of government property.
“It is therefore our collective responsibility as a Command to ensure the protection of these infrastructure which is a fulfilment of the ‘renewed hope’ promise of this current administration,” he said.
He also said that there was a need for his officers and men to redouble their efforts in the protection of critical infrastructure in the territory.
The Commandant further said that he had charged the Command’s Intelligence Department to increase its searchlight on the activities of the pantaker markets with a view to arresting identified accomplices of vandals and violators of the market standards.
He however warned that anyone caught attempting to sell vandalized or stolen items in these markets would face the full wrath of the law to serve as a deterrent to others.
The Command’s helmsman called on members of the public to assist the Corps by reporting any suspicious activities or persons attempting to vandalise any public infrastructure.
“This infrastructure provided is meant for the good of all, therefore, every member of the public has a duty to protect them from vandals,” he reiterated.
Odumosu congratulates the FCT Minister for the laudable projects he has completed and commissioned in the FCT.
“I want to congratulate the Minister for his doggedness and commitment to infrastructural growth.
“He has indeed lived up to his reputation of being Mr Project, as he has given FCT a new look,” he said.
NSCDC FCT COMMANDANT CALLS FOR REGULATION OF PANTAKER MARKETS
Nigerian Immigration rescues 59 women, children from human trafficking in borno
By: Zagazola Makama
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has rescued 59 women and children from a human trafficking attempt from Katsina State to N’Djamena, the capital of the Republic of Chad.
The Borno State Comptroller of Immigration, Muktari Tanimu Musa, disclosed the development in Maiduguri on Tuesday, saying the victims were intercepted at Ngamboru, a border town near Nigeria’s frontier with Cameroon.
Musa said the group was travelling with a suspected trafficking agent, who allegedly lured them with promises of “good jobs” in Chad.
“After interviewing them, it became clear they were being trafficked. The agent deceived them with false employment offers. Many of the victims did not understand the risks involved,” he said.
The comptroller noted that the command had intensified surveillance along the Maiduguri–Ngala axis and was working with the Borno State Government to strengthen border security and curb the movement of trafficked persons through the corridor.
He urged Nigerians to be cautious of individuals offering foreign job opportunities, particularly those promoting so-called white-collar jobs abroad, stressing that legitimate employment opportunities exist within Nigeria.
Musa warned that traffickers often exploit victims for criminal activities, including organ harvesting, and highlighted that trafficking networks sometimes operate with local support.
“These activities are sometimes aided by community members. But recent breakthroughs came because of stronger cooperation with transport operators, drug control officers, and community leaders in Banki and Ngamboru Ngala,” he said.
He added that he had visited the border communities to meet chairmen and stakeholders, urging them to share timely intelligence with officers.
The NIS has profiled the rescued victims and will hand them over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for further care and investigation.
Musa appealed to media organisations to support public awareness campaigns, saying, “The media play a crucial role in educating communities about the dangers of irregular migration and human trafficking. Their support is essential.”
Nigerian Immigration rescues 59 women, children from human trafficking in borno
Yobe police arrest 26 persons for illegal tree felling, desertification in Tarmuwa LGA
By: Zagazola Makama
The Yobe State Police Command has arrested 26 individuals for criminal conspiracy, unlawful felling of trees, and deliberate desertification in the bush area of Garaji village, Tarmuwa Local Government Area.
According to sources the suspects, all male residents of Damaturu LGA, allegedly went into the bush on 02/02/2026 and cut down a large number of trees without the knowledge or approval of the local government authorities.
The act was described as deliberate and in violation of Yobe State laws that prohibit felling of trees to prevent desertification.
The police, acting on a complaint by Habu Mandadawa, Supervisor of the Tarmuwa Local Government Agricultural Department, visited the scene alongside members of the local vigilante group. During the operation, the officers recovered large quantities of firewood from the suspects at the scene.
The command noted that the illegal activity poses a significant environmental threat, contributing to land degradation and desert encroachment in the state.
Investigation is ongoing, and further developments will be communicated, the police said.
The police appealed to residents to report any unlawful environmental destruction to authorities to safeguard natural resources and prevent further desertification.
Yobe police arrest 26 persons for illegal tree felling, desertification in Tarmuwa LGA
Niger State Police rescue four kidnapped tree cutters in Kankara
By: Zagazola Makama
The Niger State Police Command has rescued four abducted tree cutters following a gunfight with armed bandits in Makulawa bush, Kankara Local Government Area.
According to sources the incident occurred on Feb. 3, 2026, at about 1230hrs, when police patrol teams on confidence-building patrol along Ketare–Kankara Road intercepted a group of suspected bandits hiding in the bush.
The patrol teams engaged the criminals in a sustained gun duel, forcing them to retreat into the forest. The operation led to the successful rescue of the kidnapped victims, identified as Ibrahim Dauda, 40; Yakubu Aliyu, 32; Hamisu Saidu, 23; and Aminu Garba, 22, all residents of Malumfashi Township.
The victims were safely reunited with their families, while major escape routes of the bandits were immediately blocked, and efforts to apprehend the fleeing culprits are ongoing.
The police confirmed that further developments will be communicated as the investigation continues.
Niger State Police rescue four kidnapped tree cutters in Kankara
Woro attack: how Sahel-linked terror networks are creeping into Kwara’s border communities
Nigerian Immigration rescues 59 women, children from human trafficking in borno
Yobe police arrest 26 persons for illegal tree felling, desertification in Tarmuwa LGA
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