The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has turned the heat on scavengers with several arrests made in the past few days of enforcement against their activities.

On Saturday, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) announced the arrest of 37 suspects following the ban by the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, on the activities of scavengers and vandals.

The ban restricts scavengers to dumpsites outside the FCT or the risk of being arrested and prosecuted if found flouting.

The FCT also shut down all Panteka markets where used items are sold in Abuja for two weeks. This was after a police operation led to the arrest of 50 suspects and the recovery of 25 manhole covers, solar streetlights and galvanized roads used in the construction of flyovers, amongst other items gotten through vandalization.

The FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Olatunji Disu, while addressing newsmen, said the shut down was to enable the police to profile those working in the markets.

The latest in the activities of vandals led to power outage in over 60 per cent of areas in Abuja, including parts of the Presidential Villa on Friday.

According to the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), the power outage happened because vandals stole electricity lines supplying power to the areas.