The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Thursday, said its demolition across the territory is aimed at dismantling criminals’ hideouts and not unsuspecting residents.
Director, Department of Development Control, Mukhtar Galadima gave the clarification at the instance of allegations making the round that the demolition of shanties in Abuja is aimed at displacing poor residents to please the well to do residents.
During the clearing of shanties at Apo district, he said the operation was part of a broader city sanitation and security initiative to rid hoodlums and criminals of their hibernating places, saying the administration got credible information that some people were even killed around the area.
Galadima: “Well, people must complain. People must say something about exercise. But our goal is to rid the city of criminal elements in order to enhance the security of the FCT.
“This is part of the continuation of the city sanitation and exercise to rid the city of the criminal elements. So this place has been identified as one of the notorious dark spots. I recall also efforts were made in the past, but this time around we came in to do a total clearance of the place.
“This is something that there are credible and verifiable security and intelligence reports about these locations. Instances where some people were even killed around this place. So, for the fact that this place was identified as a dark spot, it’s enough for this exercise to continue. So that’s why we’re here and we will make sure that we clear this place once and for all. Unlike before that we just come and push the shanties. This time around we are going to remove everything and even fence the place.
“My advice is for them to go and look for a decent accommodation within the resettlement town or somewhere else within the federal capital city because this place health-wise, is not even advisable for them to remain under this place.”
On his part, FCTA Secretary, Command and Control, who represented the Director of Security, Adamu Gwary, said the administration took the move in response to a recent robbery attack which took place in the neighborhood where over fifty arm robbers held the residents hostage for hours, as well as the death of a medical personnel who was attacked in the same place.
He said: “We have issues like illicit drug peddling and sales here and intake. We have issues of armed robbery and even house breaking within this environment. So you know, some few weeks ago there was this attack on the residents that the criminal element used it as a cover. Thank God for the good response time of the Nigerian police and sister agencies that were able to repel them.
“Over 50 criminal armed robbers came here to attack the residents here. But the quick response from the FCT police command and sister agencies prevented that attack from snowballing.
“We also know that some few weeks ago, we had an attack on a medical personnel here, that his life was cut short just because the people that reside here might not really be the criminals but they too cannot profile those coming to stay with them here and that is why you just have to take a holistic move.
“This place is not meant for residents. It’s a green area so people are not even meant to come and reside here. So clearing it is a good omen for the FCT.”
One of the displaced youths, David Mark, told newsmen that they were not criminals, that they have no money to rent pay for good accommodation, therefore, called on government to give them jobs.
Mark said: “We don’t have money to rent a house. We manage ourselves here. People come here to find workers, why are they pursuing us now?
“No, We are not criminals. Criminals are not coming here. We have vigilantes here, we have our committee here. We don’t steal. My demand is employment, we need employment. Look at the youth! How many youth are here now? No work”.
