Wike orders demolition of illegal Abuja settlement

….citing security concern

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has ordered the demolition of an illegal settlement near Karmajiji in Abuja over security concerns, alleging that the community served as a hideout for criminal elements.

Wike instructed the FCT Department of Development Control to demolish the settlement after leading security operatives to the site in Kukwaba District, which is suspected to be a criminal hideout, following the FCT Security Committee meeting on Friday.

He explained that the directive was part of efforts to strengthen security in the nation’s capital.

He added that intelligence reports indicated that suspected criminals often retreated to the settlement after carrying out attacks in parts of the FCT.

“Look at the area. You don’t even know who the occupants are. How do you identify them? How do you know where to locate them? And this is in noside the city.

“This is a time bomb. There’s no way we can allow this. The FCT Administration will not allow criminal hideouts to thrive in Abuja,” the minister said.

He directed the Commissioner of Police in FCT, Ahmed Sanusi, to work with the director of development control to demolish the settlement.

The minister stressed that anyone found using such locations to aid criminal activities would face the full weight of the law.

According to the minister, the demolition is part of ongoing efforts by the FCT Administration to dismantle criminal enclaves, improve public safety and protect residents.

Mr Wike reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to sustaining security operations across the territory, noting that the safety of lives and property remains a top priority.