The Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), Federal Capital Territory Administration, has declared war on vandals of manhole covers and streetlights in the territory.

The Coordinator of the council, Mr Felix Obuah, made this known in Abuja, while reacting to the unabated vandalism of manhole covers and gully inlet by hoodlums.

NEWSMEN recalls that the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) introduced the use of materials with `no resale value’ in the production of manhole covers.

The move, according to the authority’s Head of Public Relations, Mr Richard Nduul, is to discourage criminal elements from stealing and selling them as scrap.

However, in spite of the efforts, vandals continued the heinous act, even when the covers do not have resale value.

The situation is disturbing that even the newly installed manhole covers of the B6 and B12 roads under construction on Independence Avenue in Central Area, Abuja, were being vandalised.

But Ubuah told the NEWSMEN in Abuja on Tuesday, that AMMC had concluded plans to take the war to their doorstep to curb the trend.

He said “we want to let the vandals know that we are taking the war to their doorsteps.

“You can see the good roads that are being constructed by FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, unfortunately, most of the manhole covers were being carted away.

“Most of the streetlights have been vandalised. We are no longer going to take it lightly with them.”

He disclosed that a taskforce would be established to further strengthen the clampdown on the manhole cover and streetlight vandals.

He expressed optimism that the law would soon catch up with the vandals, their sponsors and those patronising them.

“I addressed the executives of Apo spare parts dealers, and I told them that they are part of the people fuelling criminal activities in the FCT.

“This is because, if the criminals stole the manhole covers and other electrical equipment and could not get buyers, they would not continue with such acts.

“I told them categorically that they are the major sponsors and financiers of the vandals and that if they can partner with government, most of these things will be a thing of the past.”

The coordinator urged residents to report any suspicious movement around manhole covers to the government.

The Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), Federal Capital Territory Administration, says it will relocate Apo Mechanic Village and artisans loitering in the area to give way for road construction.

The coordinator of the council, Mr Felix Obuah, disclosed this during a meeting with the Apo Mechanic Village and Auto Spare Parts Dealers Association in Abuja.

Ubuah pointed out that the FCTA was constructing a road along the Apo mechanic village, adding however, that the road has been occupied by spare parts dealers and artisans.

He said that the relocation became necessary because a contract for the road construction had been awarded and work would begin in earnest.

He said that he had visited the area specifically to check the streets, the roads, and the artisans, and see how they could be taken off the streets and relocated.

“So, we went there to see for ourselves and see what we can do to relocate the occupants of the mechanic village and artisans who have taken over large portions of the roads.

“From there we went to Wasa to see the possibility of relocating the artisans out of the area to give the city its desired beauty,” he said.

The Chairman of the association, Mr Michael Ndubisi, said that the visit by the association was to pledge solidarity with the coordinator and extend a hand of partnership.

Ndubisi, who is also the Chairman of the Amalgamated Union of Motor Mechanics and Technicians of Nigeria, promised to partner  the council for the development of Abuja city.

A Badagry Chief Magistrates’ Court, Lagos State, on Tuesday remanded a 45-year-old cleric, Mr Sunday Adewoye, who allegedly raped a 22-year-old lady.

Adewoye, whose address was not provided, is charged with unlawful sexual penetration and rape.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr Patrick Adekomaiya, did not take the plea of Adewoye.

He said that he needed advice from the state director of public prosecutions.

Adekomaiya ordered that the defendant should be kept in a custodial facility pending the advice.

He adjourned the case until June 3 for mention.

The prosecutor, Insp Ayodele Adeosun, had earlier informed the court that Adewoye committed the offenses on April 17 at 5:00 pm on Joseph Dosu Way, Badagry.

He said Adewoye had sexual intercourse with the 22-year-old lady without her consent, in contravention of Sections 260 and 263 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.