By Sarah NEGEDU
The Federal Capital Territory Administration has demolished shanties and revoked undeveloped plots in the Apo/Guzape areas of the territory for allegedly harbouring miscreants.
Director of Development Control, Mukhtar Galadima, who led the team, said the clearance exercise was part of decisions reached at the last FCT Security Council meeting to rid Abuja of criminal elements.
He pointed that the renewed security operation will target criminal hideouts across the city.
In his words, “This is part of the decision taken by the FCT Security Council to rid the city of criminal elements and miscreants. You recall that we were at Zone 3, Wuse and UTC. Today we are at Apo/Guzape area where shanties and miscreants have been dislodged. So that’s why we’re here today. It’s the continuation of the exercise to rid the city of miscreants and criminal elements.”
He explained that the affected plots, located at Apo Cadastral Zone E27, were originally designated for residential purposes but had been left undeveloped by their allottees, who instead allowed illegal occupants.
“All those that claim to have policy is considered as revoked because it’s like they are the one harboring these people to stay here and then go about the city committing crimes.
“So as has been directed by the FCT Security Council, this place, we are going to take it over, we are going to possess it, as part of the FCTA land,” Galadima said.
He explained that the area has a clearly defined road corridor demarcated by a deep trench, known as the S20 extension of Oladipo Diya.
“It was designated for residential purpose. Allocations were made but the allottees failed to develop their plot as stipulated time, the road corridor is clearly defined. You can see that it’s been demarcated by a deep trench. So the road is what we call the S20 extension of Ladipo Dia that goes through FHA Apo up to Guzape 2”
On the scope of the exercise, the director said the action will not be limited to Apo, Guzape, Wuse, Garki alone, but will rather be carried out across the federal capital city and the territory.
On his part, the Director, Security Services Department, FCTA, Adamu Gwary, said that the operation was making FCT very hot for people with criminal tendencies.
The director who was represented by the Secretary, Command and Control, Dr. Peter Olumuji, also disclosed that the operation had already recorded arrests especially of those dealing in illicit drugs.
“This place we are today, right now, Apo/Guzape you can see by yourself that we have people that deal in illicit drugs and we’ve been able to apprehend two suspects today which have been handed over to the NDLEA,” he said.
He warned criminal elements to leave the FCT, saying, “One thing we want criminal elements to know, that FCT is not a place they can hibernate again. Wherever you go, we are going to pursue you and smoke you out.”
Olumuji added that there was no resistance during the clearance, noting that those affected “know that they are squatting here illegally and they are not meant to be here.”
But the chairman of Cashew Garden, Steven Obiozo, pleaded with the authorities to reconsider, insisting that most occupants were law-abiding traders who had an agreement with the plot owner to manage the space, sell their goods, and vacate whenever notified.
He claimed most of them cooperate with the plot owners, even arranging security measures to keep the area safe. “Anytime I notice something, any strange face, I should call him so that his boss will come and pick the person up. And I’ve been doing that,” he added.
Obiozo appealed: “We are begging the government to allow us because all fingers are not enough. We have seen the laws. It’s not because we don’t have jobs. We just have jobs around. I sell beer, mineral and a touch of food.”
