FCTA Targets Durumi, Garki For Fresh Demolitions

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has reiterated its resolve to clear all illegal settlements, particularly shanties serving as criminal hideouts and obstructing development projects in Abuja.

According to the Administration, the ongoing clampdown on such structures will continue as part of efforts to ensure the safety of residents and restore order in the Federal Capital City.

In a statement on Monday, the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the FCT Minister, Lere Olayinka, said recent security concerns in parts of Durumi District, especially the Area 1 axis in Garki, have made the exercise imperative.

He described the situation as worrisome, citing reports of robbery, carjacking, drug peddling and other crimes being perpetrated from the illegal settlements.

“High level criminal activities such as robbery, carjacking, drug peddling and other heinous crimes with attendant security implications to law-abiding FCT residents cannot be allowed to continue,” the statement read.

He noted that the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike had earlier constituted a Stakeholders Committee comprising heads of security agencies, FCTA officials, civil society organisations, and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), to strengthen the security response in the nation’s capital.

The committee, during one of its meetings, identified that the shanties in Area 1, Durumi, not only serve as operational bases for criminals—including kidnappers and one-chance syndicates—but also prevent genuine land allottees and government agencies from accessing their plots, some of which were allocated over 20 years ago.

Olayinka recalled that three months ago, a joint security operation in the area led to the arrest of over 120 suspects, including drug peddlers, one-chance operators, carjackers, and armed robbers. Seven stolen vehicles, 79 motorcycles, and 155 ATM cards, allegedly snatched from victims, were recovered during the raid.

Although some of the shanties were cleared after the operation, they have since re-emerged, with criminals regrouping and making the area unsafe for law-abiding residents.

The FCTA said it has already commenced clearing of shanties across the city centre, assuring that those in Area 1, Durumi, will be demolished soon to pave the way for lawful development and enhance public safety.