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)