In a bid to curb vandalism and enhance security, security agencies in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have finalized plans to profile operators of pantaker markets across the territory. The initiative, aimed at regulating activities in these markets, was announced by Chief Felix Obuah, Coordinator of the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), during a meeting with market officials on Friday in Abuja.
Targeting Illicit Operations
Pantaker markets, known for selling fairly used items and scrap materials such as iron, furniture, and home appliances, have recently been linked to stolen and vandalized public assets. Obuah revealed that a recent raid by security agencies led to the recovery of stolen public assets valued at over ₦1 billion.
The profiling exercise, he explained, seeks to ensure that only legitimate operators are allowed to conduct business in these markets.
“The FCT Administration and security agencies have decided that all pantaker operators must be registered and profiled. This will help identify genuine operators and determine their activities,” Obuah stated.
Transparency and Accountability
As part of the regulatory efforts, operators are being urged to maintain transparency in their transactions. Obuah stressed the importance of keeping records of buyers and suppliers to enhance accountability and facilitate prompt action when necessary.
“We want to know who supplies you what and who you are selling to. Let us have such records for security purposes,” he emphasized, adding that anyone caught with stolen or vandalized items would face prosecution as an accomplice.
Unified Platform for Operators
Obuah also called on pantaker operators to unite under a common platform or union to ease interactions with government and security agencies.
Supporting the initiative, the Director of Security Services at the FCT Administration, Mr. Adamu Gwary, stated that only registered operators would be allowed to resume operations after undergoing profiling.
Commencement of Profiling
The FCT Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olatunji Disu, announced that the profiling exercise would begin on February 1. He emphasized the need for operators to verify the origins of items they purchase and ensure they request receipts.
“We are committed to restoring sanity to pantaker operations in the FCT. Operators must ensure they verify the sources of items before purchase,” Disu said.
Operators Support the Initiative
The National Chairman of Pantaker Operators, Alhaji Abbas Bello, pledged the group’s full support for the exercise, recognizing the need to rid the sector of criminal elements.
“We will work with security agencies to sanitize our operations and identify the bad eggs tarnishing our image,” Bello assured.
Similarly, the Secretary of the Mpape Pantaker group, Mr. Mohammed Kashim, highlighted the markets’ role in job creation and economic growth, calling for collective efforts to eliminate criminal activities.
The profiling exercise marks a significant step toward fostering a secure and lawful business environment in the FCT, demonstrating the Administration’s commitment to protecting public assets and supporting legitimate business operators.
