In a bid to address the growing wave of insecurity in the Federal Capital Territory, the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, Ajao Adewale, has ordered immediate raids on uncompleted buildings and suspected criminal hideouts across Abuja.
The directive, which took effect immediately, was issued to all Divisional Police Officers following rising concerns over incidents of robbery, car theft, and abduction, particularly in satellite towns and developing districts where criminals are believed to be operating from abandoned structures.
FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, disclosed the development in a statement on Tuesday.
She said the Commissioner directed all DPOs to intensify patrols and conduct comprehensive checks on uncompleted and abandoned buildings within their areas of jurisdiction.
“In a continued effort to strengthen security and ensure the safety of lives and property across the Federal Capital Territory, the Commissioner of Police, CP Ajao S. Adewale, has directed all DPOs to immediately intensify patrols and carry out thorough raids on all uncompleted buildings and suspected criminal hideouts,” Adeh stated.
She explained that the move is a proactive strategy to prevent criminals from using construction sites as safe havens or operational bases. Property developers have also been urged to approach their nearest police divisions to register and profile all security staff, artisans, and labourers living or working at building sites.
“Property developers are urged to ensure that their security personnel, artisans, and labourers sleeping at active construction sites are properly documented and profiled before the end of October 2025. DPOs must conduct regular patrols of such locations and arrest any unidentified persons found on-site after 6:00 pm,” she added.
Adeh further warned that anyone found loitering or residing at construction sites after 6:00 p.m. without proper identification would be arrested. She reminded residents that scavenging, popularly known as Baban Bola, remains banned in the FCT due to its association with theft and vandalism.
“Residents are advised to report any scavengers or suspicious persons sighted around their neighbourhoods immediately to the police,” Adeh noted.
Emphasising that security is a shared responsibility, the Police Commissioner called on estate associations, community leaders, and residents to work with law enforcement by reporting suspicious movements and ensuring that security guards and domestic staff are properly profiled.
