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Affected people declare: “We are not criminals; we’re only trying to make ends meet.”
From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has escalated its campaign to rid Abuja of illegal structures, criminal hideouts, and miscreants with a major clearance operation in the Apo Guzape area. This follows similar successful operations in Zones 3, Wuse, and the UTC Complex, all aimed at enhancing safety and security for residents and visitors.
Director of FCT Development Control, Mukhtar Galadima, disclosed to reporters that the recent exercise in Apo Guzape targeted shanties and unapproved settlements illegally occupying government-designated lands, notably the Apple Cadastral Zone E27, originally allocated for residential development.
“This operation is a continuation of efforts mandated by the FCT Security Council to rid the city of criminal elements,” Galadima said. He emphasised the administration’s stance against illegal occupancy, stating, “Who gave them permission to stay there? Those claims are revoked because they harbour criminals and disrupt city order. We are here to take over and reclaim these plots.”
Galadima detailed the situation on the ground, noting that the area included a clearly demarcated road corridor, the S20 extension of Ladipo Dia Road, which had been obstructed by unlawful structures. Warnings have been issued that plot owners allowing miscreants on their properties risk having their land repossessed by the FCTA. “The road and plots are well defined. Any owners harbouring these illegal occupants have effectively lost their rights to the land, which will now be taken over by the administration,” he explained.
Echoing these points, the Director of Security, Adamu Gwary, represented by Peter Olumuji, highlighted the impact of these clearance operations on crime reduction. “Since the operations started last week, crime statistics from the FCT Police Command indicate a significant decline in criminal activity in cleared areas,” Olumuji noted. The task force has also been active in tracking displaced criminals, ensuring that those apprehended, such as two suspects caught dealing illicit drugs in Apo Guzape, are handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Olumuji underscored the administration’s message to criminals: “FCT is not a place for urban criminality. We will pursue and remove all miscreants, no matter where they hide.” He confirmed there was no resistance from illegal occupants during the clearance, stating, “They are aware they were squatting illegally and cannot resist lawful government actions.”
Caught off guard by the FCTA task force’s early morning operation during heavy rainfall, the squatters of Cashew Garden in Apo District expressed deep sorrow and frustration at the forced clearance of their makeshift homes.
Stephen Obiozor, chairman of the community, described the day as “agonising,” emphasising the emotional and material toll on residents. “We were just trying to protect what little we have,” he said. “When we heard the bulldozer, many of us dashed out into the rain, desperate to save what belongings we could. It was chaos and confusion everywhere.”
The squatters voiced their grievances about the suddenness of the demolition and the impact on their lives. “Some of us have lived here for years, trying to build a life despite the odds,” Obiozor lamented. “Now, not only have we been made homeless, but our livelihoods have been shattered. We don’t know where to turn next — we are truly at a crossroads.
“We are not criminals; we are vendors trying to make a living,” he said, appealing to the government for understanding and support. Highlighting the difficulties vendors face, he added, “I sell beer, minerals, and food to make ends meet. We are begging the government to consider our plight.”
Obiozor urged for a more humane approach, noting, “We need a solution that recognises our situation. This eviction without providing alternatives leaves us destitute.”
Other residents echoed this sentiment, highlighting their vulnerability. One of the women affected, who opted to speak anonymously, said, “I woke to find my home being torn down while I was still inside. I barely managed to grab a few clothes before the rain drenched everything. This place was all I had.”
Despite the hardships, many squatters expressed a feeling of abandonment and lack of alternatives. “We understand the government’s position, but there was no warning or support. We feel cast aside,” said another resident.
Galadima reiterated at the Cashew Garden Estate, “The area was designated for residential use with clear plot allocations. The allottees failed to develop their plots in the stipulated time, leading to these illegal occupations.”
This latest clearance is part of the broader “Operation Sweep Abuja”, a sustained initiative to ensure the Federal Capital Territory remains safe and orderly. The FCTA has vowed to continue demolitions of illegal structures and criminal hideouts across Abuja, working closely with security agencies, including the NDLEA and police, to protect the city’s residents.
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