The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has intensified efforts to ensure safe and lawful mining activities across the territory following an inspection of quarry and mine sites in the Bwari Area Council.

The inspection was conducted by the Department of Solid Minerals and Allied Matters (DSMAM) as part of the administration’s efforts to safeguard lives, protect the environment and enforce compliance with approved mining standards.

Leading one of the inspection teams, the Deputy Director of the Quarry and Economic Ecology Division, Timothy Shemang, said the exercise was carried out in line with the FCTA’s mandate to ensure that mining operators comply with established safety and environmental regulations.

FCTA Inspects Quarry Sites in Bwari

The inspection focused on key compliance areas, including operational safety, the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), environmental management and the availability of statutory documents.

Officials also verified operators’ valid operating licences, surface rent receipts and mine clearance permits during the exercise.

Shemang said the FCTA was committed to maintaining a transparent relationship with mining operators while ensuring strict adherence to regulatory requirements.

He, however, warned that operators engaging in illegal activities or failing to meet statutory obligations would face sanctions.

“Any operator who fails to pay surface rent or obtain the required clearance permit risks sanctions, including suspension or closure,” Shemang cautioned.

He added that the administration would continue to enforce the Standard Operational Procedures (SOP) approved for mining activities within the FCT.

Operators Issued Compliance Notices

While some of the inspected sites were found to be operating in compliance with the required standards, others were issued compliance notices over identified lapses.

The violations included inadequate use of PPE, insufficient safety signage and deficiencies in statutory documentation.

The inspection comes amid concerns over unregulated quarrying activities and their potential impact on the environment and communities across the Federal Capital Territory.

The department also highlighted the need for greater regulation of industrial rock blasting, particularly in areas considered vulnerable to geological hazards.

Shemang urged mining companies to cooperate with DSMAM and comply with all regulatory requirements, stressing that maintaining a safe mining environment is essential for protecting workers and host communities.

The DSMAM said it would continue to promote responsible mineral resource management in the FCT while working to achieve industrial harmony, environmental protection and sustainable development.

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Residents across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are increasingly paying out of pocket for security as gaps in formal policing continue to widen.

In many satellite towns and fast-growing suburbs, households now contribute monthly fees to sustain vigilante groups and private guards. What started as a temporary fix has evolved into a survival strategy.

Despite the constitutional responsibility of the Nigeria Police Force to protect lives and property, many residents say local arrangements now offer more reliable protection.

Rising Insecurity Forces Community Action

Communities such as Tungan-Maje, Pegi, and parts of Gwagwalada have experienced repeated security threats, including burglary and kidnapping.

Residents say these incidents pushed them to organise and fund local security systems.

In some areas, tenants contribute between ₦1,000 and ₦2,000 monthly, while landlords pay even higher fees. These funds are used to hire vigilantes, install gates, and maintain patrol operations.

A resident in Tungan-Maje said the initiative has reduced crime significantly, with no reported kidnapping cases in over two years.

Cost of Security Adds to Economic Pressure

While the system has improved safety in some areas, it has also increased the cost of living.

In Kubwa and Bwari, residents contribute between ₦500 and ₦3,000 monthly, depending on the arrangement. In gated communities like Gwarinpa, security fees are sometimes added to annual rent, reaching up to ₦12,000 yearly.

For business owners, the cost is even higher. Some spend up to ₦100,000 monthly on private guards, in addition to community levies.

For low-income earners, these payments come with difficult trade-offs. One resident noted that even ₦1,000 could mean sacrificing basic needs like food.

Vigilante Groups Fill Security Vacuum

Vigilante groups say their operations rely heavily on community funding.

They maintain that their role is to support, not replace, formal security agencies. However, limited funding and poor equipment continue to affect their effectiveness.

Security analysts link the growing reliance on vigilantes to manpower shortages and rapid urban expansion in Abuja.

Concerns Over Accountability

Despite their role, concerns remain about accountability.

Some security officials warn that suspects are not always handed over to the police, with cases of extrajudicial actions raising concerns.

Experts recommend stronger collaboration between communities, vigilantes, and security agencies.

Police Promise Improved Response

The FCT Police Command has acknowledged the concerns and promised better response times.

Officials say emergency calls will be addressed within five minutes, with improved coordination between control centres and field officers.

Authorities also revealed plans to recruit more personnel to improve coverage across communities.

The Bigger Picture

As Abuja continues to expand, security infrastructure has struggled to keep pace.

This has left residents funding their own protection, turning security into a shared community responsibility rather than a government service.

While some residents see the system as effective, others believe it reflects a failure in public security.

Story credit: Dailytrust

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Residents of Kuje, a town in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), are on high alert following reports of a possible terrorist attack on the Kuje Custodial Facility.

A dusk-to-dawn curfew was reportedly imposed in some areas as security forces deployed troops to patrol the streets.

WhatsApp messages circulating among residents warned of the restriction, stating: “Good evening residents, a curfew has now been imposed on some areas in Kuje. Please be careful.”

The affected areas reportedly include Wowo Garage, Chibiri, Shadadi Village, Shetuko Village, and Kango Village.

Military Presence in Kuje

Eyewitnesses confirmed a significant deployment of troops in the town. John Ugwu, a resident, said, “The curfew is real. The military is patrolling my area and asked shops to close by 7pm.” Intelligence suggesting terrorists planned to attack the Kuje prison to release detained members triggered the security measures.

However, some residents reported calmer areas where normal activities continued late into the night. Gbenga Omo, who lives near the entrance of Kuje, noted, “People were still on the road when I got back from work by 10pm.”

Conflicting Reports from Police

The FCT Police Command claimed they were unaware of the curfew. SP Josephine Adeh, the Police spokesperson, stated: “Not True.” This discrepancy highlights coordination challenges between local authorities and security forces.

Residents React to Security Measures

Residents expressed concern over safety while following curfew orders. The measures, while precautionary, have disrupted daily routines and heightened anxiety among families and businesses in Kuje.

Calls for Clarity and Action

Local authorities are urged to provide clear communication and confirm security threats to avoid panic. Analysts note that effective counter-terrorism measures, timely intelligence, and public awareness are essential to prevent threats from escalating in satellite towns of the FCT.

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Abuja, Nigeria’s carefully planned capital city, is grappling with a growing refuse crisis as heaps of uncollected waste continue to dominate streets, markets, and residential areas. Despite repeated promises by authorities, poor waste management practices persist, raising concerns about public health, environmental safety, and the overall livability of the city.

Across major districts such as Garki, Wuse, Kubwa, Nyanya, and parts of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), refuse dumps have become a common sight.

Overflowing bins, blocked drainages, and makeshift dumpsites line major roads, emitting foul odours and attracting rodents and insects. Residents say the situation has worsened in recent months, especially in densely populated communities.

Many Abuja residents blame the crisis on irregular waste collection, weak enforcement of sanitation laws, and poor coordination between government agencies and private waste contractors. According to residents, refuse is often left unattended for days or even weeks, forcing some households to dump waste indiscriminately in open spaces and drainage channels.

“Ideally, Abuja should not look like this,” said a resident of Kubwa. “Waste trucks come once in a long while, and when they do, they don’t cover many streets. People are now dumping refuse anywhere because they have no alternative.”

Environmental experts warn that the worsening refuse situation poses serious health risks, especially as the rainy season approaches. Blocked drainages increase the risk of flooding, while decomposing waste creates breeding grounds for mosquitoes, flies, and disease-causing bacteria. Public health officials have also expressed concern over the possible spread of cholera, typhoid, and other sanitation-related illnesses if the situation persists.

Markets and informal settlements appear to be among the hardest hit. In some areas, traders operate beside towering piles of waste, exposing food items to contamination. Residents say complaints to local authorities often yield little or no response, deepening frustration and distrust in the system.

The Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) and area councils are primarily responsible for waste management in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). However, observers argue that weak monitoring, insufficient funding, and poor accountability have limited the effectiveness of existing waste management frameworks.

Urban development analysts also point to rapid population growth as a key factor overwhelming Abuja’s waste infrastructure.

As more people migrate to the city in search of economic opportunities, waste generation has increased significantly, without a corresponding expansion in collection and recycling capacity.

Environmental advocates are calling for urgent reforms, including stricter enforcement of sanitation regulations, improved funding for waste agencies, and greater public education on responsible waste disposal.

They also stress the need for long-term solutions such as recycling programmes, waste-to-energy initiatives, and better partnerships with private sector operators.

For now, residents say immediate action is needed to restore Abuja’s image and prevent a full-blown public health emergency. Until waste collection becomes consistent and sustainable, the refuse crisis remains a visible symbol of deeper governance and environmental management challenges facing Nigeria’s capital.

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