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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has dismissed claims circulating in the media and public discourse that the demolition of illegal shanties in Abuja is aimed at displacing poor residents to benefit wealthy citizens.
The Director of Development Control at the FCTA, Mukhtar Galadima, stated this while speaking on Thursday, August 14, 2025, during a major clearance operation of illegal settlements in Cadastral Zone E27, Resettlement at Apo District. He clarified that the demolition is part of a broader city sanitation and security drive designed to remove criminal hideouts.
Galadima explained, “Well, people must complain. People must say something about the 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 exercise to rid the city of criminal elements. So this place has been identified as one of the notorious dark spots. I recall efforts were made in the past, but this time around we came in to do a total clearance of the place.
“This is something for which 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, when we just came and pushed 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 decent accommodation within the resettlement town or somewhere else within the federal capital city because, health-wise, it is not even advisable for them to remain in this place.”
Speaking on behalf of the Director of Security, Adamu Gwary, the Secretary of Command and Control for FCTA highlighted that recent violent incidents—including a large-scale armed robbery and the killing of a medical worker—prompted the operation.
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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 housebreaking within this environment. Just so you know, some weeks ago there was this attack on the residents where 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 weeks ago, we had an attack on a medical personnel here, whose life was cut short just because the people who 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.”
In contrast, one of the displaced youths, David Mark, denied any criminal involvement among the residents. He said they lack the financial means to rent formal housing and appealed to the government for job opportunities.
He stated, “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.”
