General News
Operation Sweep raids ‘Pantakers’ markets, targets vandals, recovers suspected stolen items
….As it impounds over 25 motorcycles
By Wumi Tewogbade, Abuja
In order to combat the challenges of vandalism of public infrastructure, the Federal Capital Territory Administration, (FCTA), through its special security outfit, Operation Sweep, has intensified efforts focusing on various Pantaker markets, where suspected stolen goods might be kept and traded.
The joint task force, has been working around the clock, especially throughout the yuletide season to ensure relative peace across the territory, combed such markets within the popular Jabi Motor Park and Apo Mechanic.
The move, was in the wake of reports of repeated vandalism of newly installed solar streetlights and a surge in theft of critical infrastructure, including manhole covers.
Briefing newsmen, after a visit to the International Scrap Market, Apo, and Jabi Pantaker Market yesterday, the Director, Security Services, FCTA, Adamu Gwary, said the enforcement was intended to strengthen monitoring of Pantaker markets, which are often used as outlets for stolen items.
Gwary, who was represented by the Secretary, Command and Control, Dr. Peter Olumuji, said the enforcement was designed to showcase the work and sensitise people about the task force.
He said, “The reason we went out today with the media is to showcase the work of Operation Sweep, particularly the Joint Task Force established by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
“This team has been working around the clock throughout the year, especially during the peak season, and as a result, there has been relative peace across the FCT.”
“We all recall that sometime last year, there was a spike in the vandalism of critical infrastructure and national assets, especially manhole covers and similar facilities.
“The FCT Administration, through Operation Sweep, was able to effectively curb that menace. Additionally, the Honourable Minister has continued the installation of solar streetlights across the territory.
” Unfortunately, we have received reports that some unscrupulous individuals have been removing batteries from these solar streetlights. We cannot allow this to continue. That is why we have intensified monitoring in Pantaker markets”, he said.
During the visit, a vehicle being dismantled for sale was discovered.
Olumuji explained that the task force verified the sale with the owner, confirming it had been legally sold to the pantaker dealers.
“This is just one of many achievements recorded across the territory. Let it be clearly stated that there is no hiding place for criminal elements within the Federal Capital Territory,” he added.
He also revealed that Operation Sweep has already intercepted stolen goods prior to Tuesday’s outing.
“Even prior to today, a few days ago within my jurisdiction, Operation Sweep personnel, while on active surveillance patrol, intercepted a vehicle conveying armoured cables suspected to have been stolen.
” During an attempt to escape, the suspects ran into a ditch and fled. However, the vehicle and the stolen items were successfully recovered. Similarly, during visits to some Pantaker markets, we recovered suspected stolen items.
” The shop owners have been invited, and the police will investigate to establish whether the items are indeed stolen. If they are confirmed to be stolen, the law will take its full course, and those responsible will be brought to justice”, Olumuji said.
He stressed that the operations are not solely focused on arrests, but also on sensitising market operators about their responsibilities.
“It is important to note that our visit is not solely about making arrests. It is also to sensitize Pantaker operators not to accept stolen items in their markets. We have clearly informed them that if stolen items are found in any Pantaker market, the leadership and shop owners will be held accountable,” he said.
Representing the Apo pantaker market leadership, Vice Chairman Hassan Mohammed described the visit as significant, and welcomed the FCTA’s efforts.
“This visit is very important, and we sincerely appreciate the effort of the authorities. We have always collaborated with security agencies, and we operate a strong task force. Before anyone enters this market with any item, they must brief our task force at the gate. We verify receipts and agreements, which we then keep in our office.
“We also enlighten our members that before buying any vehicle, they must contact the owner of the vehicle. Once you speak with the original owner and receive confirmation, you are assured that the sale is authorized,” he said.
Hassan added that the market has its own independent intelligence unit to prevent illegal trading.
“As you can observe at the market gate, we have clearly displayed prohibited items. We do not tolerate government property in this market. In addition, we have security personnel and an internal intelligence unit that works independently of the task force.
” They monitor items being brought into the market. Whenever you come to offload something they are by your side then they will watch what you carry to the market. So we don’t have any problem in this market and we are 100% in collaboration with security agents,” he said.
By Nick Ibe, Abuja
To cushion the harsh impact of rising living costs, the Federal Government has approved a N70,000 monthly transport intervention for public service workers across all levels for six months, beginning in November 2026, .
This was one of the outcomes of the conciliation meeting between the Federal Government and the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, in Abuja on Tuesday, following renewed pressure from organised labour over the rising cost of living, workers’ welfare and outstanding agreements.
The government also approved the payment of peculiar allowance arrears, effective from May 1, 2026, in three equal monthly instalments beginning in November.
The parties did not agree on the effective date for implementing the national minimum wage, but agreed that the Minimum Wage Negotiation Committee would be constituted and commence meetings immediately.
The resolutions were contained in a memorandum of understanding signed at the end of the meeting by the Director-General of Budget, Timi Yakubu; NLC President, Joe Ajaero; the Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare Office, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Garba Abdul S.U.; and the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi.
The document made public after the meeting was tagged: ‘Resolutions Reached at a Conciliation Meeting Held at Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment Between the Federal Government and the Leadership of Nigeria Labour Congress on Tuesday, 27th October, 2026’, outlined agreements on minimum wage negotiations, transport support, outstanding allowances, health workers’ remuneration, tax relief and hazard allowances for agricultural officers.
The meeting followed an earlier conciliation session held on October 22, 2026, convened by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment to address disagreements between the government and organised labour.
On the transport intervention, the document stated, “That transport intervention of Seventy Thousand Naira (N70,000) commencing from November 2026 would be paid across all levels for a period of six months.”
The agreement trails high transportation costs and the prices of other essential goods following the removal of the petrol subsidy in May 2023, by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Organised labour has repeatedly demanded measures to ease the economic pressure on workers, including reductions in petrol prices, improved wages and the implementation of outstanding welfare agreements.
The memorandum also noted the NLC leadership’s concerns about the government’s handling of its demands.
Addressing the disagreement, it stated that the NLC leadership “expressed concern over the Federal Government’s attitude towards the above issues.”
It added that the Federal Government, in response, “stated that it fully respects the right of the Congress to advocate for improved working conditions for Nigerian workers, and is genuinely trying to address every aspect of it through a structured intervention.”
On the national minimum wage, the parties agreed that the Minimum Wage Negotiation Committee would be constituted and commence meetings immediately.
However, the effective date of implementation remained unresolved.
The document stated, “It was agreed that the Minimum Wage Negotiation Committee would be constituted and commence meeting immediately. It should however be noted that there is a disagreement on the effective date of implementation.”
The disagreement leaves a key issue outstanding despite the commitment to begin negotiations without delay.
The national minimum wage became a major issue in 2024 when the Federal Government and organised labour negotiated an increase in the statutory minimum monthly wage from N30,000 to N70,000. The new rate was subsequently enacted into law through the National Minimum Wage Act.
The latest agreement refers to further discussions and the implementation date of the national minimum wage but does not provide details of the specific proposal under consideration or when the parties expect to conclude the negotiations.
The agreement indicates that while the government has approved some financial interventions, other workers’ demands remain subject to further negotiations, administrative verification or decisions by relevant government bodies.
“Trump… Please bring my son back to me. I am begging you for mercy.” And what Trump did when he heard those words… may bring tears to your eyes.
Her name was Malphine. She was 95 years old. A mother who had spent years waiting. Hoping. Praying. And one day… she finally got the chance to meet Trump. And stood before him. With all the strength she had left. And spoke the only words in her heart. Please. Bring my son home.
And Trump looked at this 95-year-old mother. Held her hands. And gave her a promise. I will bring your son home.
And Malphine held on to that promise. The way only a mother of 95 can hold on to something. When hope is all she has left.
Days went by. Weeks went by. And then one morning… the news finally arrived. Her son Marc was coming home. After years away. After years inside a foreign prison. After years of a mother waking up every single day, wondering whether she would ever get to hold her child again.
He stepped off that plane. And returned home. And when Marc’s feet finally touched American soil… Trump was there. In person. To welcome him. To embrace him. To look him in the eyes and say… welcome home. America has not forgotten you.
And in that single embrace…
Trump showed the world something that no speech and no rally could ever truly express: That America cares about its people. Wholeheartedly. Unconditionally. And never gives up fighting for them.
And today… I sat thinking about that story. And remembered every harsh word I had ever spoken about this man. Every judgment. Every doubt. Every moment I chose to look away. And I felt something I can hardly describe. Deep shame.
Because Malphine trusted Trump at 95 years old. With all the hope she had left. And he helped bring her son home.
Today… this is the side of Trump that so many people may never take the time to see.
Not the Trump in the headlines. Not the Trump on the rally stage. Just a man. Who listened to a 95-year-old mother pleading for her son. Worked to help answer her prayers. And personally showed up to welcome him home.
If this story touched your heart today… let God and every American reading this feel your .
And tell me honestly, in your own words — after reading this… can you still speak badly about President Trump? Because I truly find it difficult to do so. Not anymore. Not after hearing this story.
Sons of Liberty. Maga Movement
–Calls for NSCDC reforms, compensation for victims
By Son Tertsea, Abuja
Dehydration was cause of the death of the detained miners, the panel constituted to investigate the deaths of alleged illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Niger State Command, has stated.
The chairman of the committee, Jonathan Kure, while presenting the report to the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in Abuja on Tuesday, , said the miners suffered acute respiratory failure.
He also corrected the earlier reports that 37 miners died in custódy, saying 33 miners were confirmed dead.
He said the miners collapsed after calling for water and were ignored by the personnel of the NSCDC.
He added that the detention room was overcrowded and poorly ventilated.
He said the miners were illegally arrested and detained, stressing that they were all detained beyond the legally allowed period.
Part of the panel’s report called for a total reform of the NSCDC as well as solicited compensation for the victims.
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