The Federal Government (FEC) has instructed the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, to review and strengthen existing laws or introduce new ones to criminalise the theft of government infrastructure, especially by scrap metal dealers, illegal miners, and cart pushers.
This move comes as the federal government expresses serious concern over the growing cases of critical public assets being stolen such as manhole covers, bridge parts, and road infrastructure often under the cover of night.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idriss, made the disclosure while addressing reporters after the FEC meeting held behind closed doors and chaired by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
According to the Minister, the government is alarmed by the activities of people who steal metal components from public property to sell for scrap, thereby endangering public safety and sabotaging infrastructure development.
“The federal government is considering new legislation to make such acts criminal,” Idriss said.
“Although some laws already exist, the Attorney General has been directed to review them thoroughly to ensure stricter enforcement.”
He added that the stolen materials are often recycled and resold, fueling a dangerous cycle that the government is determined to break.
