FCTA vows to demolish Shanties, cites security risks, obstruction of development

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has reaffirmed its commitment to clearing illegal settlements across Abuja, particularly shanties serving as criminal hideouts and blocking developmental projects.

In a statement issued on Monday by Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Public Communications and Social Media, the administration said the ongoing clampdown on criminal hideouts in the capital city would continue until law and order is restored.

According to the statement, the FCTA raised concerns over rising insecurity in Durumi District, especially the Area 1 axis of Garki, which has been linked to robbery, carjacking, drug peddling, and other violent crimes.

To tackle the situation, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike set up a Stakeholders Committee involving heads of security agencies, FCTA officials, civil society groups, and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).

The committee identified the shanties as not only serving as operational bases for kidnappers, drug dealers, and one-chance operators but also preventing land allottees and government agencies from utilizing their allocations for over two decades.

The statement recalled that three months ago, a joint security operation in the Area 1, Durumi axis led to the arrest of over 120 suspects, including drug peddlers, carjackers, and armed robbers.

Seven stolen vehicles, 79 stolen motorcycles, and 155 stolen ATM cards, reportedly taken from victims of one-chance operators, were also recovered.

Despite earlier demolitions, the FCTA said illegal settlers had returned and the criminals had regrouped, making the area unsafe for law-abiding residents.

Olayinka confirmed that the FCTA has already begun clearing shanties in the City Centre and warned that those in Area 1, Durumi, will be demolished in the coming days.