The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Thursday refuted insinuations in some quarters that the ongoing demolition of shanties in Abuja is aimed at displacing the poor to please the rich.
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Director of Development Control in the FCTA, Mukhtar Galadima who said the clearance of shanties was part of a broader city sanitation and security initiative to rid hoodlums and criminals of their hibernating places, stated that the administration got credible information that some people were even killed around some areas.
Galadima, said this while conducting a major clearance of shanties in Cadastra zone E27, Resettlement at Apo District of the FCT.
He said, “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, who was represented by the FCTA Secretary, Command and Control, Peter Olumuji 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 attacked in the same place.
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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. Just so you know, some few weeks ago there was this attack on the residents that the criminal element used 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 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 reporters that they were not criminals, that they have no money to rent proper accommodation, therefore, called on the 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 youths are here now? No work”.
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