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Scavenging Outlawed on Abuja streets, activities restricted to dumpsites
Scavenging Outlawed on Abuja streets, activities restricted to dumpsites
By: Michael Mike
Scavengers activities have been restricted in and around the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja to dumpsites as they have been warned against moving around either during the day or at night in the city.
The present ban followed the criminal activities of some scavengers popularly known as ‘baba nbolas’ in the area.
They have been alleged to be involved in carting away critical infrastructure especially manholes from the expressways in the city.
Parading 36 scavengers who were arrested with dangerous weapons and vandalized items, the Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, Dr Olusola Odumosu, said scavengers who roam the streets of FCT, indiscriminately, perpetrate all forms of criminal activities under the guise of scavenging.
According to him, the move by the FCT Administration was necessitated by the need to nip vandalism of public infrastructure such as manhole covers, streetlights, solar panels, armoured cables, and so on, in the bud.
Items recovered from the 36 suspects include four daggers, three jack knives, two chisels, three knives, two pinches and 10 bottles of codeine syrup.
Others are 45 wraps of indian hemps, thrash bags, pieces of iron rods and narcotic drugs.
The scavengers, he explained, go about the nooks and crannies of the city and satellite towns; house-to-house, estate-to-estate, scavenging for plastics, scrap metals and irons.
He said: “But from previous arrests, interrogations and investigations, we have realised that their real business is to vandalise and remove our road infrastructure such as: manhole covers, flood drain covers, streetlights, armoured cables, rail sleepers, iron rods for bridge enforcement and the likes, which would fetch them good money.
“The public also needs to know that some ‘Baba Nbolas’ now disguise to rob innocent commuters and bystanders as they go about with dangerous weapons to attack and disposes them of their personal belongings especially at night. Our record shows that many who dared to challenge them in the past had met their untimely deaths while others are maimed in various parts of the Federal Capital Territory” he said.
Many residents of the FCT and environs, Odumosu noted, have experienced sudden disappearances of many of their household items like generators, cooking pots, stoves, pressing iron, air conditioners, compressors, car batteries, security light panels, iron drain covers and so on.
“Scavengers are major suspects to most of such disappearances and they carry out these activities whenever they notice that there is no one in sight, but not without wielding dangerous weapons in case they are busted by the house owners.
“The most vital is that many of them work as informants for armed robbers, kidnappers, hired assassins, terrorists, bandits a#nd all sorts of criminal gangs. Many families have fallen victims of kidnapping, abduction for ransom, murder, assassination and the likes because they give information about your family, the number of children you have, the types of cars you drive, where you work and by extension, keeping tabs on your movement.
“They (baba nbola) also assess and profile you through the kind of household waste products you dispose which, in most cases, reveal your status and lifestyles.
Unfortunately, and in most cases, many of us perceive these miscreants and criminals as ordinary innocent, poor Nigerians, hustling for their daily bread so they move about unchecked and unquestioned by anyone, some of us even sympathise with them, by extending alms to them, whereas, they are responsible for the various crimes happening around you.
“Owing to these revelation and credible intelligence at our disposal, it is therefore 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 whenever you see them in front of your houses, your streets, neighbourhood or estates.
“The public should note that, although, they appear innocent, armless and vulnerable, most of them are extremely dangerous, their activities are criminal in nature and they constitute threats not only to the safety and security of lives, property and infrastructure in the FCT but to Nigeria’s national security architecture as a whole” he noted.
The commandant used the occasion to advise FCT residents to dispose their refuse properly and stop patronising the Baba Nbolas for the sake of their own safety and that of their family members.
Scavenging Outlawed on Abuja streets, activities restricted to dumpsites
Governor Buni speaks on primary elections where consensus failed
By: Yahaya Wakili
Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State has revealed that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is open to a fair, credible, and transparent primary election if there is no general agreement on the consensus mode.
Governor Buni started this while commenting on the crisis rocking the party over the governor candidate for the 2027 general election. He said the party has not foreclosed direct election to produce its candidates for the contestable offices for the 2027 general election.
According to him, the party is still working on dialogue; “we are talking to each other and reaching out to the stakeholders, including the aspirants, to arrive at an amicable solution.”
“As the governor of Yobe state, I will be the happiest person to see that the state and party are peaceful and united, noting that we remain citizens of Yobe state and members of APC.
“My expectation is to see us more united and collectively working for our candidates to win the 2027 general elections,” Governor Buni said.
Governor Buni further said, “As a founding member, former secretary, and national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the unity and progress of the party mean so much to me personally; therefore, I will continue to support and protect the ideals of the party to remain Nigeria’s ruling political party.”
He expressed optimism that the aspirations for public offices in the state are driven by the desire to serve the people for a better and improved life.
Governor Buni speaks on primary elections where consensus failed
Troops Arrest Suspected Kidnapper in Kaduna State, Recover Phone and Cash
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 7, Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), in collaboration with the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), have arrested a suspected kidnapper in Kamuru village in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Security sources said the arrest was made at about 0330 hours on May 12 during a coordinated operation in the area.
The suspect, identified as Mr. Husaini Jibrin, 45, was reportedly apprehended at Kamuru village over alleged involvement in a kidnapping incident that occurred in Angwan Ali community on April 26, 2026, within the same local government area.
According to the sources, the suspect is believed to be linked to the planning and execution of the abduction, which had triggered security concerns in surrounding communities at the time.
Items recovered from the suspect include one mobile phone and the sum of ₦10,000 in cash.
The military said the suspect is currently in custody and undergoing interrogation as part of ongoing investigations aimed at dismantling kidnapping networks operating in the region.
Authorities added that troops have intensified surveillance and patrol operations across vulnerable communities in southern Kaduna to curb criminal activities and improve public safety.
Operation Enduring Peace continues to conduct joint operations with local security outfits and community-based structures as part of efforts to address insecurity in affected areas.
Troops Arrest Suspected Kidnapper in Kaduna State, Recover Phone and Cash
Troops Repel Attack in Plateau State, Two Residents Killed — Military Launches Manhunt
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 6, Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), have repelled an armed attack on an isolated settlement in Vwang Kagot community in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State, in an incident that left two civilians dead.
Security sources said the troops responded swiftly at about 0130 hours on May 12 following reports of an attack by suspected armed assailants on the rural community.
The attackers, reportedly described as suspected armed herdsmen, stormed the settlement and engaged in violent activities before the arrival of security forces.
Upon intervention, troops in collaboration with Keystone Kuru Division forced the assailants to withdraw from the area.
However, the attackers had already killed two residents identified as Ngo Shetu Badung, 78, and Mr. Danjuma Badung, 52, before fleeing the scene.
Following the incident, troops launched clearance operations in the general area and are currently trailing the fleeing suspects.
Military authorities said additional patrols and surveillance measures have been intensified to prevent further attacks and reassure residents of their safety.
Operation Enduring Peace noted that it remains committed to stabilising vulnerable communities across Plateau State and ensuring that perpetrators of violent attacks are brought to justice.
Local security stakeholders have also continued engagements with community leaders to strengthen early warning systems and improve response to emerging threats in rural settlements.
Troops Repel Attack in Plateau State, Two Residents Killed — Military Launches Manhunt
Governor Buni speaks on primary elections where consensus failed
Troops Arrest Suspected Kidnapper in Kaduna State, Recover Phone and Cash
Troops Repel Attack in Plateau State, Two Residents Killed — Military Launches Manhunt
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