The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has declared a renewed crackdown on illegal settlements and shanties harbouring criminals, vowing to restore security and enable development projects in the Federal Capital City (FCC).
In a statement on Monday, Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka revealed that the administration was intensifying efforts to dismantle criminal hideouts, particularly in Durumi District and Area 1 in Garki, where robbery, carjacking, drug peddling, and kidnappings have thrived.
“The ongoing onslaught on criminal hideouts in Abuja will continue, high-level criminal activities with their attendant security threats to law-abiding residents cannot be allowed to persist,” he stated.
He said that FCT Minister Nyesom Wike had established a stakeholders’ committee, comprising heads of security agencies, FCTA officials, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) to address the growing insecurity.
According to Olayinka, the committee identified that illegal settlements in Area 1, Durumi, not only obstruct land allottees and government projects but also serve as operational bases for criminals.
“These shanties have become sanctuaries for kidnappers, drug dealers, and ‘one-chance’ robbers, making the area unsafe for residents,” he said.
The Minister’s aide stated that three months ago, a joint security operation in Durumi led to the arrest of over 120 suspects, including drug peddlers, armed robbers, and ‘one-chance’ operators.
During the operations, he said authorities recovered seven stolen vehicles, 79 motorcycles, and 155 ATM cards snatched from victims.
Despite the initial clearance of shanties, criminals have since regrouped, reclaiming the area and continuing their illicit activities.
“The shanties are back, and the criminals have returned, making life unbearable for innocent Nigerians,” the statement noted.
The FCTA also highlighted that many of these illegal structures sit on lands allocated over 20 years ago, preventing rightful allottees and government agencies from utilising the spaces.
“These illegal settlers have turned the area into a no-go zone, even for legitimate landowners,” Olayinka added.
While the FCTA has already begun clearing shanties in the City Centre, authorities confirmed that Area 1, Durumi, will be the next target.
“We will not allow criminals to hold Abuja hostage. These illegal structures will be removed, and security will be restored,” he said.
