The Federal Capital Territory Administration has raided an iron smelting company alleged to be buying stolen manhole covers from vandals operating in Abuja.
Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media to the FCT Minister, Lere Olayinka, made this known in a statement issued on Monday.
Manhole covers, otherwise known as maintenance hole covers, are removable plates that cover openings in a paved area, allowing access to a sewer, underground vault or pipe.
According to the statement, Abuja Steel Company located along the Abuja – Kaduna Road has been buying the manhole covers stolen from Abuja highways
Olayinka said “exhibits of interest” were recovered during a raid on the company and the exhibits are currently in custody of the Police.
He added that further investigations into the company and others’ involvement in the removal, purchase and melting of the manhole covers are ongoing.
“The arrested persons are helping the security agencies with useful information about the buyers of the vandalized infrastructure,” the statement reads in part
He said replacement of the manhole covers that were removed by the vandals has commenced as directed by the FCT Minister.
NewsNGR reports that increasing theft of the manhole covers by scrap iron dealers and vandals puts pedestrian and drivers at risk of accidents