The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested no fewer than 150 scavengers also known as Baban Bola following their involvement in the proliferation of crime in the city.
The FCT Police Commissioner, Benneth Igweh disclosed this while parading the suspects on Thursday, in Abuja.
The development, Igweh said, is in tandem with ongoing measures to clean the city of all forms of criminality, particularly scavengers who dispossess residents of their belongings.
According to the police chief, items recovered from the suspects include generators, machetes, hoes and various forms of weapons.
He said, “In Zuba, we recovered two guns from Baban Bola and all people’s household items were recovered from them. So, they are not ordinary, many of them are not Nigerians.
“But, we are going to do our best to ensure the safety of all households of the FCT. It is the beginning of the cleansing. 300 of them have been remanded yesterday, these are the remnants.
“The fight continues until the city is clean and clear of criminal elements and activities.”
The CP further addressed concerns about the justice system and the sustainability of the fight against scavengers in the city.
He said, “We are going to do what police can do, and not what court can do.
“Our plan is to take them off the road, if they like they should go to court 10 times and come out, and we will continue to take them to the court. One day, both we and the court will get tired of seeing them.”
Scavengers have continued to pose threats to FCT despite their recurring arrest and evacuation from the capital city.
Many residents have reported missing items while away from their residence and others have recorded the evacuation of valuable assets at night time.