The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has removed at least 700 illegal structures built on swamps in Kado Raya Angwan Makabarta in the Life Camp District of Abuja.

The illegal structures erected in swampy areas were inhabited by over 1,000 petty traders, comprising young men, women, middle aged and the old.

Addressing reporters shortly after the exercise, Ihkaro Attah, Senior Special Assistant on Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement, said the operation complied with the ministerial directive.

Mr Attah said the area had been marked for demolition since April, but the inhabitants of the illegal structures refused to comply with the notice issued to them.

“The FCT Minister gave the matching order to rid the city of criminals, which led to the massive operation in the city.

“We came here with a combined security team, and when they got to this particular area of Kado Raya Angwan Makabarta, they saw massive shanties and arrest was made here. Several sensitive items were also recovered,” he said.

The minister’s aide explained that a team from the Parks and Recreations Department had evaluated the area and identified beacons and already marked it as a green area.

“The flood belt is to be greened, and the solid area is to be used for parking facilities. This area is a road corridor with a graveyard, and we will green the area until the road is ready.”

He cautioned inhabitants of illegal structures in Abuja to stop giving bribes to people because they would deceive them.

Reacting to the demolition, one of the area’s occupants, Ibrahim Salisu, a labourer, who expressed sadness over the exercise, alleged that their leaders collected N1,000 from over 500 of them.

“The FCTA gave us notice to vacate this place about three months ago, but on Monday, in the evening, our leaders came and asked us to contribute N1,000, assuring us that they would give the money to officials of the FCTA to prevent them from going on with the demolition.”

Also, a 90-year-old woman, Aisha Wase, said she had lived in the area since 1999.

“We are appealing to the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, to consider us in the resettlement scheme so that we can have a roof over our heads.”

On his part, Saminu Abubakar, a fish seller, said the FCTA had already provided an alternative place for the inhabitants of the area during the tenure of the former FCT Minister, Adamu Aleiro.

(NAN)