Wike Orders Demolition Of Suspected Criminal Hideout In Abuja

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has ordered the immediate demolition of an illegal settlement near Karmajiji in the Kukwaba District of Abuja, describing the area as a suspected hideout for criminals operating within the nation’s capital.

The directive was issued on Friday when the minister, accompanied by security chiefs, visited the settlement shortly after the FCT Security Committee meeting as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen security across the territory.

Wike said intelligence reports had identified the cluster of shanties as a safe haven where suspected criminals retreated after carrying out attacks in different parts of the FCT.

Describing the settlement as a serious security threat, the minister said the FCT Administration would not tolerate the existence of illegal structures that serve as breeding grounds for criminal activities.

“Look at this place. You don’t even know who the occupants are. How do you identify them? How do you know where to locate them? And this is right inside the city.

“This is a time bomb, and there is no way we can allow this to continue. The FCT Administration will not permit criminal hideouts to thrive in Abuja,” he said.

The minister directed the FCT Department of Development Control to immediately commence demolition of the illegal structures, working in collaboration with the Commissioner of Police in the FCT, Ahmed Sanusi, and other security agencies.

He stressed that the operation forms part of the administration’s broader strategy to dismantle criminal enclaves, curb insecurity and restore public confidence in the safety of the Federal Capital Territory.

Wike warned that individuals who provide shelter or use illegal settlements to facilitate criminal activities would be dealt with in accordance with the law.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the FCT Administration to sustaining coordinated security operations across Abuja, insisting that the protection of lives and property remains a top priority.

The minister added that the administration would continue to identify and remove illegal settlements found to pose security risks, while working closely with security agencies to ensure that Abuja remains safe for residents and visitors alike.