RAMPANT MANHOLE COVER THEFT IN FESTAC TOWN.
My good people of Festac. I greet you all.
It has become so worrisome the rate at which manhole and drainage covers are stolen in Festac almost on a daily basis.
Few days ago had a discussion with the FHA Zonal Manager Architect Akintola Olagbemiro on the issue.
We rubbed minds together and brainstormed on what to do.
The Zonal Manager then in company of some of his Senior Officers paid a visit to the Seriki Hausa of Festac Alhaji Mustapha Musa.
After a brief meeting the Seriki assured the Zonal Manager and his team that he will alert his men who are in charge of security in the Hausa Community some of which are Police Volunteers.
On getting back the office the following day it was discovered that two manhole covers in front of FHA office were stolen overnight.
I made a personal visit to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Festac Division to alert him on this issue of frequent theft of manhole cand drainage cover with vandalisation of vehicles.
He promised to intensify patrol with his men.
On getting out of the police station I discovered the two drainage covers close to the police station have been stolen.
Just two nights ago I led a patrol team of vigilante we patrol from 2.00am to 4.30am. We reached areas like 201, 202, 3rd Avenue, 512 Road, 721 Road, 71/ 72 Road, 23 Road, 24 Road, 322 Road, 312 Road, 511 Road... just to see if we could see any of the thieves on operation. We ended the patrol as it seem they were not out to operate that morning.
As God will have it luck ran out of some of them as they were caught cornered by the vigilante group of the Seriki Hausa around the Second gate/ Agboju axis while they were pushing the trucks laden with manhole covers.
They were paraded today at the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) office this morning were they later handed over to the Nigerian Security Civil Defense Corp (NSCDC) who are in charge of protecting Federal Government assets.
The civil defense has promised to prosecute the suspects.
One of the buyers of the stolen manhole was also arrested and he promised to take the civil defense to other buyers of the manhole and drainage covers.
We shall keep you updated on further happenings.
Please let's all be watchful and be security conscious.
Thank you all and God Bless.
