FCTA Continues Crack Down on Crime Havens, Illegal Shack Dwellings in Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) says it is continuing its crackdown on criminal hideouts and illegal shanties in Abuja.

The administration has identified a “worrisome” security threat in the Area 1, Durumi District and plans to demolish the illegal shanties there “very soon.”

In a statement sent to Persecondnews on Monday, August 18, Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister for Public Communication and Social Media, said that FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has created a Stakeholders Committee to ensure the safety of Abuja residents.

The committee includes heads of security agencies, FCTA officials, civil society organizations, and members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists.

“The ongoing onslaught on criminal hideouts in Abuja will continue. High level criminal activities such as robbery, carjacking, drug peddling and other heinous crimes with its attendant security implications to law abiding FCT residents cannot be allowed to continue,” the statement said.

Olayinka recalled that the security agencies had previously arrested over 120 miscreants in the area, recovered seven stolen vehicles, 79 motorcycles, and 155 ATM cards, in an operation that lasted over three hours months ago, adding however, that the criminals had regrouped, and the shanties were back after previously being cleared.

“Three months ago, when security agencies carried out an operation in Area 1, Durumi, over 120 miscreants were arrested. Among those arrested in the operation that lasted over three hours were drug peddlers, one-chance operators, carjackers, and armed robbers.

“Seven stolen vehicles, and 79 stolen motorcycles were recovered, while 155 ATM cards were recovered. These ATM cards were those snatched from victims of one-chance operators, using the settlement as their base.

“Then, some of the shanties in Area 1, Durumi, were cleared. But today, the shanties are back, and the criminals have regrouped, making the area uninhabitable for law-abiding Nigerians. Consequently, the FCTA is already clearing shanties in the City Centre, and those in Area 1, Durumi will be cleared very soon,” he said.

Olayinka further stated that some of the shanties and makeshift structures were erected on lands allocated over 20 years ago, thereby preventing the allottees and even government agencies from utilising the land.