By Ifeoluwa Odunayo
Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) suffers an annual loss of N4.7 billion due to infrastructure vandalism, with stolen manhole covers, power lines, and public utilities draining government resources, Professor Abdulhameed Mambo of Nile University has revealed.
Speaking at the 5th Annual Public Lecture of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Bwari branch, Mambo described the rampant theft as a major economic and social crisis, warning that it not only threatens public safety but also undermines national development.
He noted that over 1,200 manhole covers have been stolen in recent years, exposing residents to dangers and escalating replacement costs.
To combat the menace, he proposed deploying AI-powered surveillance cameras, tamper-proof sensors, blockchain tracking for stolen metals, and increased community involvement.
The event, attended by top engineers and policymakers, called for urgent, coordinated action to protect critical infrastructure and halt the rising tide of vandalism in the FCT.
