The Ogun State Government has condemned what it described as unnecessary interference by officers attached to the Force Intelligence Department (FID), Abuja, in an ongoing criminal land grabbing case pending before the Magistrates’ Court in Ota.

The state government, in a petition dated May 23, 2026, accused police officers of actions capable of undermining judicial proceedings and compromising the administration of justice.

The petition, signed by Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Sina Ogungbade (SAN), was addressed to Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Intelligence Department, Enyinnaya Adiogu. Copies were also sent to Governor Dapo Abiodun, Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu, and the Police Service Commission.

According to the government, the case involves two defendants, Ibrahim Gbenga Ibuoye and Taiwo Ibrahim, who are facing allegations linked to land grabbing activities.

The government argued that police authorities had repeatedly directed that investigations should remain within the jurisdiction where alleged offences occurred unless expressly approved by the Inspector-General of Police.

It expressed concern that some officers continued to interfere in legal procedures despite those directives.

Ogungbade stated that investigations revealed World Mission Agency purchased the disputed land around 2007 from a family earlier declared lawful owners by the Ogun State High Court in 2001.

He explained that the organisation intended to use the property for the agricultural department of Covenant University and had obtained a Certificate of Occupancy and fenced the land.

According to him, the defendants allegedly demolished the fence, entered over 100 acres of land and carried out illegal sand mining activities.

The Attorney-General maintained that the matter was already before a competent court and questioned why fresh complaints allegedly emerged after charges had already been filed.

He described the alleged actions as an attempt to weaken the ongoing prosecution.

The state government further argued that summoning officials of World Mission Agency to Abuja amounted to intimidation and warned that police powers should not be deployed to harass complainants in active cases.

Ogun also questioned why officers outside the state would attempt to intervene in a matter already under investigation locally.

The government demanded an immediate halt to what it called a parallel investigation and warned that legal action could follow if such actions persist.

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This directive, revealed by the Commissioner of Police in the FCT, Olatunji Disu, followed a decisive FCT Security Committee meeting on Monday. According to the commissioner, scavengers will now be restricted to operating only at designated dumpsites located on the outskirts of the city and in suburban areas.

Starting from January 14, security agencies have been mandated to enforce the ban. Alongside this, operations of pantaker markets—hubs for selling second-hand items, scrap iron, and used furniture—have been temporarily suspended for two weeks across the FCT. Disu explained that the suspension is intended to give security agencies the opportunity to thoroughly profile the operators of these markets, ensuring that only legitimate businesses are allowed to continue operations.

The crackdown comes amid growing concerns over vandalism and its devastating consequences for the residents of Abuja. Public infrastructure, including manhole covers and other essential utilities, has increasingly fallen prey to vandals who sell stolen items through pantaker markets. The commissioner did not mince words in describing the severity of these acts, emphasizing that they amount to economic sabotage and, in some cases, pose life-threatening risks.

“When manhole covers are stolen, drivers navigating the city at night are at grave risk. These reckless actions could cause fatal accidents,” Disu stated. The FCT administration has resolved to ensure that anyone arrested for vandalizing public infrastructure will face the full weight of the law. Offenders will now be charged with economic sabotage and potentially attempted murder.

However, there is a significant challenge: the current penalties for such crimes are often inadequate. “The punishment meted out to these vandals is so lenient—community service or minor fines—that they return to commit the same crimes. It’s a vicious cycle,” Disu explained. This has led the committee to call for stricter measures and heightened public vigilance.

In a bid to engage the community, the FCTA has distributed hotlines for residents to report suspicious activities. “If you see something, say something,” Disu urged, rallying citizens to collaborate in safeguarding government infrastructure. The administration stressed that protecting these resources is a shared responsibility, and every act of vandalism undermines the collective assets of Abuja’s residents.

The two-week suspension of pantaker markets is seen as a critical step toward sanitizing the sector, ensuring that illicit activities are curtailed and that genuine operators can thrive within a regulated framework. This move sends a strong message: the FCTA is determined to clamp down on criminal networks while prioritizing the safety and well-being of its residents.

As security agencies gear up to enforce these directives, the city braces for a new era of accountability and vigilance. The ban on scavenging and the temporary closure of pantaker markets mark a significant shift in Abuja’s approach to tackling infrastructure theft and safeguarding its public spaces. For now, the countdown has begun, and all eyes are on January 14, when the new order officially takes effect.

The post Abuja Cracks Down: Scavenging and Pantaker Markets Suspended appeared first on Housing TV Africa.