FCTA Begins Guzape, Asokoro Forest Clearance After Attempted Kidnap

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), on Monday, commenced a large-scale forest clearance at the Cashew Plantation in Kpaduma-Kobi village, located along the highbrow Asokoro-Guzape corridor, following the attempted kidnap of a couple in the area on September 15.

The operation, according to the administration, is aimed at dismantling criminal hideouts, with plans to deploy surveillance drones to monitor the forests and strengthen the efforts of local hunters and conventional security personnel.

Speaking during the exercise, the FCTA Secretary of Command and Control, Dr. Peter Olumiji, confirmed that the couple had been rescued in the incident, though a vigilante lost his life during the operation.

“The Commissioner of Police immediately mobilised his men to the scene, and both victims were successfully rescued. Sadly, one of the vigilantes paid the supreme price,” Olumiji said.

He explained that the forest had long served as a transit route for kidnappers moving through Karu, Jikwoyi, Orozo and Kurudu, stressing that the clearance was necessary to cut off criminal movement.

“As part of the measures, a 24-hour police post will be established here, alongside solar-powered streetlights, to prevent further incidents,” he added.

Olumiji further disclosed that intelligence gathering was underway to identify possible local collaborators aiding kidnappers.

He also revealed that surveillance drones would be deployed across forests in the FCT, and complemented the work of forest hunters recently approved by the FCT Security Council.

Also speaking, the FCTA Director of Development Control, Mukhtar Galadima, said the exercise was part of an effort to reclaim “ungoverned spaces” within the territory.

“About a week ago, a kidnap case was traced to this location. That is why we are here—to ensure all the trees are cleared. Similar operations have already taken place in Apo Resettlement, Guzape, and last year at the Mabushi Scavengers’ Colony,” Galadima stated.

On concerns of compensation for residents, Galadima assured that community leaders had endorsed the clearance, noting that villagers had also suffered repeated abductions.

“The chief’s representative assured us of their cooperation. They are not demanding compensation but total clearance, because they too want to be free from this menace,” he said.

He added that after the clearance, relevant agencies, including the police and Abuja Environmental Protection Board would be recommended for permanent presence in the area to ensure security and maintenance.

A resident of Kobi village, Mr. Iliya Iwadagba, lamented the infiltration of the community by criminals over the past five years, noting that insecurity had crippled local businesses and instilled fear among residents.

“Actually, we have been living here for a long time and we did not experience this kind of thing. But five years back now, some unwanted people started coming here, and we could no longer pass this route. They killed one man and kidnapped another. Just recently, they shot a vigilante trying to secure the area.

“This thing is getting too much, and we are calling on the government to clear this bush and give us security. Even we who are working here cannot work freely because we are always afraid something will happen,” Iwadagba said.

The FCTA emphasised that the ongoing operation would be sustained until all criminal hideouts are cleared and permanent security structures are established to protect residents in the area.