AMAC denies association with illegal ‘AMAC Boys’

The Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) has firmly denied any association with the so-called ‘AMAC Boys’, who have been accused of harassing motorists and residents across the Federal Capital Territory. In a recent press conference, Chairman Zakka Maikalangu categorically dismissed these claims, asserting that all AMAC staff are well trained and continually retrained for revenue collection.

Mr Maikalangu recalled that, in July 2024, he had warned against the actions of illegal revenue collectors falsely claiming to be official agents assigned by the FCT Department of Outdoor Advertisement and Signage. He emphasised that designated satellite areas such as Dei Dei, Nyanya, parts of the city centre, and the University of Abuja Bridge have been specifically earmarked for the council’s revenue agents.

During his address, Mr Maikalangu stressed the importance of professionalism in revenue collection. He advised residents to report any instance of harassment to either the Council or the nearest police station, adding that the council has a mobile court in place to prosecute any offenders. “Let them be professional and do not jump on vehicles or grab car keys from drivers. Anyone caught doing so will be treated as a criminal,” he warned.

He further announced that the Council reserves the right to revoke the licences of any revenue collectors who contravene these directives, labelling such individuals as traitors. “This press briefing is an opportunity to reawaken the public consciousness and correct anomalies within our revenue generating sector,” he explained, referring to recent incidents where individuals have even gone as far as collecting vehicle number plates from prominent establishments such as the Presidency, National Assembly, embassies, and various Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

The Chairman’s statement comes on the heels of a report by Vanguard Newspaper and remarks by the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, Olatunji Disu, urging residents and the motoring public to report any harassment by individuals posing as revenue collectors. The alleged miscreants, known colloquially as ‘AMAC Boys’, have been reported to operate across the six Area Councils, with particularly pronounced activity in Kubwa, Bwari, and the city centre.

As a responsible government, AMAC is committed to redeeming its image and ensuring that all revenue collection activities are conducted with integrity. Mr Maikalangu urged the public to pay their revenues exclusively into the official AMAC account and warned that cash payments to unauthorised collectors would not be tolerated. He concluded by calling on residents to remain vigilant and report any irregularities, thereby helping to restore the Council’s reputation and ensure that it continues to provide essential amenities for the community.