FCT security recovers ₦1bn in stolen assets moves to regulate Pantaker market

Felix Obuah, the coordinator of the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), has revealed that a recent joint operation involving the police and other security agencies led to the recovery of stolen public assets worth over ₦1 billion from several pantaker markets across the nation’s capital.

Oniah further revealed that plans have been finalized to systematically profile Pantaker Market operators across the territory.

Speaking during a meeting with officials of the Pantaker Market operators in Abuja, he stated that the initiative aims to curb vandalism and enhance security measures, ultimately ensuring a safer and more regulated marketplace.

Pantaker markets, known for the sale of fairly used items and scrap materials, including iron, furniture, and home appliances, have recently come under scrutiny due to their alleged links to stolen and vandalized public assets.

Read also: Vandals attack Abuja power lines, disrupt electricity supply

Obuah explained that the profiling exercise aims to monitor and regulate Pantaker Market operations effectively, ensuring only legitimate operators are allowed to function.

“The FCT Administration and security agencies have decided that all pantaker operators must be registered and profiled. This will help identify genuine operators and determine their activities,” Obuah said.

He further revealed that a recent raid by police and other security agencies in some pantaker markets led to the recovery of stolen public assets worth over ₦1 billion.

The AMMC Coordinator emphasized the importance of transparency in transactions, urging pantaker operators to maintain records of their buyers and suppliers.

“We want to know who supplies you what and who you are selling to. Let us have such records for security purposes and prompt action when necessary,” he stated.

He cautioned operators against patronizing vandals or purchasing illegal properties, warning that anyone caught with stolen or vandalized items would be prosecuted as an accomplice to a crime.

Obuah also encouraged Pantaker operators to organize themselves under a unified platform or union for seamless interaction with the government and security agencies.

Adamu Gwary, Director of Security Services at the FCT Administration, noted that only recognized and registered pantaker operators would be allowed to reopen their businesses after undergoing profiling.

On his part, Olatunji Disu, FCT Commissioner of Police announced that the profiling exercise would commence on February 1.

Read also: FG spent over N9bn to restore vandalised electricity infrastructure in North – Adelabu

He emphasised the importance of accountability in the Pantaker business, urging operators to verify the sources of items sold to them.

“We are committed to restoring sanity to pantaker operations in the FCT. Operators must ensure they request receipts and verify the origins of items before purchase,” Disu said.

Also speaking, Abbas Bello National Chairman of Pantaker Operators, expressed the group’s full support for the initiative, acknowledging the need to remove criminal elements masquerading as legitimate operators.

We will work with security agencies to sanitize our operations and identify the bad eggs tarnishing our image,” Bello assured.

Similarly, Mohammed Kashim, Secretary of the Mpape Pantaker Group, emphasized the vital role of Pantaker markets in job creation and the development of the FCT. He also called for collective efforts to eradicate criminal activities.

The profiling exercise reaffirms the FCT Administration’s dedication to strengthening security and promoting a lawful business environment across the territory.