Thursday, July 2, 2026

FCTA to clear shanties posing security threat, hampering developmental project

“The FCTA is already clearing shanties in the City Centre, and those in Area 1, Durumi, will be cleared very soon,” he said.

• August 18, 2025
Abuja shanty
Abuja shanty [Credit; The Guardian Nigeria]

The Federal Capital Territory Administration states that it will ensure the clearance of all illegal settlements, particularly shanties that harbour criminals, and prevent developmental projects in Abuja.

The spokesman for the FCT minister, Lere Olayinka, stated this in a statement on Monday. Mr Olayinka said that the ongoing onslaught on criminal hideouts in Abuja would also continue.

“The FCTA described as worrisome security threats from parts of Durumi District, particularly Area 1 in Garki District. High-level criminal activities such as robbery, carjacking, drug peddling and other heinous crimes with their attendant security implications to law-abiding FCT residents cannot be allowed to continue,” he said.

Mr Olayinka explained that in an effort to ensure a safer Abuja, the FCT minister, Nyesom Wike, established a stakeholders’ committee, comprising heads of security agencies, FCTA officials, civil society organisations, and the Nigeria Union of Journalists, among others.

He stated that it was identified at the committee meeting that, apart from preventing land allottees from utilising their lands and the government from carrying out developmental projects, the shanties in Area 1, Durumi, have become operational bases for criminals.

“These criminals include kidnappers, drug peddlers, and one-chance operators. 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,” he said.

Mr Olayinka added that 79 stolen motorcycles and 155 stolen ATM cards were recovered, along with the stolen vehicles. 

He said that these ATM cards were those snatched from victims of one-chance operators, using the settlement as their base. He stated that some of the shanties in Area 1, Durumi, had been cleared.

He, however, said that the shanties were back and the criminals have regrouped, making the area uninhabitable for law-abiding Nigerians.

Mr Olayinka said that the shanties and makeshift houses were built on land allocated more than 20 years ago, but the illegal settlers and criminals who turned the area into their abode have made it impossible for the allottees to make use of their lands.

He said that even government agencies have found it difficult to use their land in Area 1, Durumi.

“Consequently, the FCTA is already clearing shanties in the City Centre, and those in Area 1, Durumi, will be cleared very soon,” he said.

(NAN)

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Babatunde Fashola

Heading 5

Don’t blame gender for ineffectiveness if you can’t use your authority, Fashola tells women

Mr Fashola emphasised that effective leadership is determined by competence rather than gender.

Nigerians alighting from Air Peace plane from South Africa.

Diaspora

FG to evacuate 271 Nigerians from South Africa in third phase flight Friday

The consulate urged the expected Nigerian nationals to come along with their clearance certificates, as well as other documents used during the screening process.

Image used to illustrate the story

NationWide

250th Anniversary: U.S. restates strategic partnership with Nigeria 

Mr Swart expressed confidence that his successor would continue strengthening the enduring relationship between both countries.

Drug abuse

Africa

ECOWAS raises alarm over rising drug abuse, trafficking in West Africa

Mr Amankwa said cocaine trafficking was expanding rapidly across West Africa.

250th anniversary

Hot news Home top

U.S. announces limited-edition social security cards for children born during America’s 250th anniversary 

The SSA said the official Freedom 250 designation is exclusively for original cards issued through the EAB program to newborns during the qualifying period. 

Xenophobic violence

NationWide

Xenophobia: Youth leaders seek safety of Nigerians in South Africa

The Chairman of the forum, Eze-Onyebuchi Chukwu, said the incidents were undermining the ideals of African unity and peaceful coexistence.