FCTA Launches Bold Move to Clear Shanties Threatening Security and Hindering Development in Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has announced plans to demolish all illegal settlements in Abuja that serve as hideouts for criminals and obstruct developmental projects.

In a statement released on Monday, Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Public Communications and Social Media, affirmed that the crackdown on criminal enclaves will persist.

He highlighted that security concerns, particularly in parts of the Durumi District and Area 1 in Garki, have become increasingly alarming.

“High level criminal activities such as robbery, carjacking, drug peddling, and other heinous crimes with their attendant security implications to law-abiding FCT residents cannot be allowed to continue,” Olayinka said.

Olayinka added that the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, set up a Stakeholders Committee comprising security agency heads, FCTA officials, civil society organizations, and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) to coordinate efforts.

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The statement highlighted that apart from preventing land allottees and government agencies from using their lands, the shanties in Area 1, Durumi have become operational bases for kidnappers, drug peddlers, and other criminals.

“Three months ago, over 120 miscreants were arrested in an operation that lasted over three hours. Among those arrested were drug peddlers, one-chance operators, carjackers, and armed robbers. Seven stolen vehicles and 79 motorcycles were recovered, along with 155 ATM cards snatched from victims,” Olayinka said.

He explained that some shanties in FCTA had previously been cleared, but the criminals have regrouped, making the area uninhabitable for law-abiding residents.

“The illegal settlers and criminals have made it impossible for allottees to use their lands, and even government agencies have faced difficulties in utilizing their properties in Area 1, Durumi,” he added.

According to Olayinka, the FCTA has already started clearing shanties in the City Centre and will soon move to clear those in Area 1, Durumi.