By Omeiza Ajayi

Following last week’s ban on the activities of scavengers by the Federal Capital Territory FCT Security Council, the FCT Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps NSCDC has arrested 37 suspects for violating the order.

The Council, chaired by the FCT minister, Nyesom Wike had on Monday placed a ban on scavenging, limiting their activities to only dump sites, even as it ordered a two-week ban on the activities of scrap and recycled products dealers in order to be able to profile them.

It also resolved to charge arrested suspects with attempted murder and or economic sabotage, lamenting that the current punishment as contained in extant laws do not really serve as deterrent.

Parading the suspects at the FCT Command Headquarters, the FCT Commandant, Dr Olusola Odumosu expressed his resolution to ensure that the ban is enforced to the letter.

He said; “We have realized that their real business is to vandalize and remove our road infrastructure, they rob innocent commuters and bystanders as they go about with dangerous weapons to attack and dispossess them of their personal belongings especially at night”.

He reiterated that the activities of scavengers otherwise known as “Baban bola” have been banned in the city centre and the suburbs both during the day and at night.

“They have been restricted to the various dump sites where all the household refuse they wander around for are deposited by the waste management authority”.

Commandant Odumosu, advised the public to dispose their refuse properly and stop patronizing Baban bola for their own safety and those of their family members.

Exhibits recovered from the suspects include four daggers, three jack knives, two chisels, three knives, two pinchers and 10 bottles of Codeine syrup. Others are 45 wraps of Indian hemp, thrash bags, pieces of iron rods and some unclassified narcotic.

He said that the suspects are still under intense investigation and that due diligence will be followed in their prosecution.