The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has ordered the demolition of the scavengers’ colony along the road corridor cutting across Mabushi, Jahi and Kado Districts.

Mr Wike gave the order in Abuja on Tuesday when he visited the area officially known as ‘Road N12’ in Mabushi District of the FCT.

He described the colony behind the Minister’s Quarters in Mabushi District as a “threat” to the city’s security.

The area had been taken over by scavengers popularly known as ‘Baban Bola’, including mechanics and furniture makers.

The minister, accompanied by a combined team of security personnel and the FCT Administration senior officials, added that efforts would be heightened to rid the city of criminal elements.

Mr Wike warned against planting such trees in areas the government had mapped out for development. According to him, the government will not pay compensation for the trees.

He ordered the Development Control Department and the Federal Capital Development Authority to clear the entire area and take a scope of the road for preliminary works.

“You should not compensate them. This is a hideout for criminals, and the communities should stop planting trees in the area.

“These are the kind of things you see that people commit crimes, and then before you know it, they run down here for cover, and people will say, “‘Oh, FCT is not safe’,” he said.

The minister assured the residents of FCT that the government would do everything possible to reduce crime.

Mukhtar Galadima, the coordinator of the Federal Capital Territory City Management Task Team, said, “With the security challenges across the country, illegal activities of this nature will not be allowed to continue.

“That is why we are not giving consideration to compensation; we have to secure the place.”

(NAN)