NSCDC arrests 36 scavengers with dangerous weapons in Abuja

From Isaac Anumihe, Abuja

Following the ban on scavengers, popularly known as ‘Baba Nbolas’, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, has arrested 36 suspects with dangerous weapons.

Addressing newsmen in Abuja, the Commandant, NSCDC, FCT Command, Dr Olusola Odumosu, said that the 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 them include four daggers, three jack knives, two chisels, three knives, two pinches and 10 bottles of codeine syrup. Others are 45 wraps of Indian hemp, 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 metal and iron.

“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 like, 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 dispose 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.