By Omoyeni Ojeifo
Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike has defended the recent demolition of structures across Abuja, clarifying that the operations target criminal hideouts rather than law-abiding citizens.
Speaking during a media chat monitored by Persecondnews on Monday, Wike addressed the clearance operations in areas such as Durumi and Jabi, explaining that swift government action was necessary after security agencies flagged these locations as safe havens for criminal activity.
“I called the security and said, ‘What is this?’ He said, ‘Sir, that place is a very dangerous place.’ I said, ‘You are not supposed to be a security person?’”
“We moved in at 2am. Of course, they will cry, ‘Oh, this government is very wicked. They don’t have the heart of the people.’ What suffering are you talking about? As a criminal? We should allow you?” he asked.
The Minister said leadership often requires difficult and unpopular decisions, noting that criticism is inevitable when enforcing law and order.
“We must take tough decisions. That’s what leadership entails. They will abuse you, they will sell all kinds of things. I even expect some people to say, ‘This guy will be traumatized.’ I agree. But you cannot allow criminals to come and hide under a place and then we say, ‘Oh, he has taken our land,” he stressed.
Wike dismissed claims that demolitions in Durumi had worsened insecurity by pushing criminals into neighbouring communities, arguing that removing their hideouts ultimately strengthens public safety.
“When they have no hiding place, where would they be? They will run away,” he said. “It is unfair for them to say that we are releasing criminals on them. We are even serving you by making sure that they have no place to hide.
“If you commit an offense, you have no place to hide. And when you have no place to hide, it discourages you from continuing with such a crime, ”he noted.
On the demolition of structures in Jabi, the Minister maintained that the land was originally allocated for development and could not be converted into informal settlements simply because projects had been delayed.
“If you are a sane person, if you mean well for this country, tell me where in the world is such a place that is supposed to be attractive to investors, and somebody says, ‘This is where we used to jog’? What nonsense is that?”
The FCT minister also credited the First Lady with influencing the proposed Abuja city gate project, noting that the idea was first brought to his attention by her.
“The First Lady caught my attention. She said, ‘How do you feel when you’re coming to Abuja? What shows you that you’re entering the city? Look at where you have a city gate. Is that what is supposed to be a city gate?’” he said.
He added that the project would be commissioned by the First Lady, describing it as part of collaborative efforts around improving the capital’s aesthetics.
On reports linking him to property ownership in Florida, United States, the Minister said there is no law prohibiting Nigerians from owning property abroad, but clarified that he does not own the house in question.
He further warned that any allocated land left undeveloped would be revoked, stressing that the administration would not hesitate to enforce planning regulations in the nation’s capital.
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